Frequently Asked Questions
NPGS-specific (USDA) Please see the USDA FAQs
How much does the germplasm cost?
Request accessions that are covered by an SMTA?
When submitting my germplasm request, the submit button seems to be inactive - what can I do to submit?
How do I…
search for unavailable accessions? (Advanced Tab | Select all)
find accessions with certain characteristics (traits)?
change_my_password? (I forgot it)
determine the password rules? (length, special characters, etc.)
determine the status of my order?
determine the crop to which a species belongs?
find accessions with Journal of Plant registrations?
change my password? (I forgot it!)
Click the Log in button in the upper top right. 
A small window will display, with a Forgot Password button. Click the button; you will be prompted for your email address. If you are registered under that email address, you should receive an email immediately with a temporary password.
If you do know your password and want to change it, click the Log in button. Select Your Profile from the menu. The screen displays your profile data which can be changed.
determine the status of my order?
Log in. Select Your Order History. Your recent request are listed; click the request’s link.
See also Checking the Status of an Order.
request germplasm?
The first step is to log in or register first if you do not have a user profile yet. Search for accessions that are of interest. Select them and add to your shopping cart. When you are finished with your selecting process, click the cart icon and proceed – several screens will need to be completed.
The following is a summary for submitting germplasm requests. Additional details are listed under the Help option on the main GRIN-Global menu.
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create your account/profile (will include a valid shipping address)
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log in (If you just created your profile, you will be logged in as well)
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search for desired accessions – search by specific accession names or identifiers, by crop traits (under Descriptors on the main menu), or by taxonomic criteria. (If you have a list of accessions, copy & paste (using their identifiers) onto the List Search tab page
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submit the request (If an import permit is required, later, you can attach that permit and any other attachments directly into GRIN after you submit your request.)
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after submission, the request is reviewed by the NPGS staff for validity. Provide details on the research/intended use. NPGS curators make the final decision based on the request, resources available, their volumes, etc.
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since NPGS maintains germplasm at different sites, your request may be automatically split and sent to the NPGS site(s) where the respective accessions are maintained
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curators & the distribution staff follow a process to ensure that all importing / exporting regulations are being met – they will contact you typically via email when supporting documents are required
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Note: each site has different constraints. Also, some germplasm has seasonal availability.
Many factors influence the shipment. In some cases, orders may be shipped in partial shipments
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when you are logged in, you can follow the progress of your order (on the menu, under Tools | Order History | Request #)
cite GRIN-Global citations?
All information in GRIN is in the public domain, as is the NPGS germplasm. Citations are appreciated but, are not required. We especially encourage including the identifier(s) of any accessions (e.g. Plant Introduction [PI] numbers) when NPGS material is a key resource used in the research.
determine for a species the crop to which it is belongs?
Use the Under Report menu, select the Find the Crop/Descriptor list... report.
find accessions with Journal of Plant registrations?
GG has a report which can be used to find accessions that have been recorded in the Journal of Plant Registrations. Use the Reports option on the main menu; indicate the Crop and the registration type code, as shown in the following example:
change my email address?
Edit your profile. You log in using your original email address, change to the new one. You should logout and then login with your new email address. 
How does this new GG Website impact me?
The new design should improve screen navigation and make it easier for you to locate data. The GRIN-Global website was revamped to take advantage of newer browser capabilities. For example, the new browser windows adjust better to different screen sizes - images re-size, text wraps appropriately, etc. The functionality of the original GG site has been maintained, but also enhanced. We hope you find switching to the new design fairly seamless, but we understand how a software change may cause some initial discomfort.
If you have previously submitted a request, that request is still in the system pipeline. If you previously created a user profile, that profile has been maintained, including your password and request history.
If you have any questions, please use the Contact Us form to submit your question(s).
Why did you change the website?
Browser technology has changed substantially since the original GRIN-Global website design. The new GG website uses some of this technology, such as responsiveness - the text and images will adjust to the screen size. As with most software, it will evolve, and we intend to make additional improvements and modifications. For more highlights, Read more...
If you have any comments or suggestions, please use the Contact Us link on the main menu on the GRIN-Global pages to submit your comments.
determine an NPGS site?
Select GRIN | USDA Genetic Resource Collection
Scroll down...
Plant Variety Protection Database (PVP)
You can access the PVP database via the GRIN-Global menu (as shown below), or directly at https://www.ars-grin.gov/PVP. Note that this collection is maintained in conjunction with the Agricultural Marketing Service Plant Variety Protection Office (PVPO), which provides intellectual property protection to breeders. This office publishes monthly updates to the status of PVP certificates.
SMTA
GRIN-Global uses the SMTA click-wrap method of acceptance. When requesting germplasm, if the germplasm is covered under SMTA, you must select the Yes ("Accept") radio button:
Submit Issues
Usually, one of the following is the reason why you cannot successfully submit a germplasm request:
Certain fields are required fields – indicated with a red asterisk.
When you select the "Intended use…" option, a second dropdown (easily missed) displays which you also must complete.
A minimum of 150 character is required for the Objectives field.
If you select any accessions covered under the SMTA agreement, there is an SMTA radio button to check as well.
The other thing that could be an issue: check your profile - you must indicate a valid shipping address.