GRIN-Global Project

The GRIN-Global project started was conceived around 2007. Basically, the Crop Trust, the USDA, and Bioversity worked together to convert the software used by the USDA National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) so that it could be used by other genebanks around the world. Now many plant genebanks use this database / software platform. The USDA continues to be the primary developer, but the software is in the public domain and can be used or modified by any individual or organization.

Although labeled "global," each organization using GRIN-Global maintains their respective database and accessions. Thus the data in one database is not on another. Also, many genebanks allow public germplasm requests, so it is important to understand from which genebank you are making the request, since each genebank follows their own policies and may have unique requirements.