A national challenge will ask universities and industry partners to build tools that help scientists identify valuable plant traits faster.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is turning to universities and industry stakeholders to help scientists make better use of the agency’s vast germplasm data.
USDA plans to launch an Agricultural National Science and Technology Challenge later this year through the Genesis Mission and the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority, known as AgARDA. The challenge will seek practical artificial intelligence tools that combine images, field observations, laboratory results and other data.
Those tools could help researchers identify valuable plant and seed traits faster. Scientists could then use those discoveries to develop more productive crops that better withstand disease, weather extremes and other pressures.
“USDA is taking concrete steps to give scientists the modern tools they need to innovate agricultural solutions from the vast plant data that they collect,” said REE Under Secretary and USDA Chief Scientist Scott Hutchins in the USDA release. “When our partners help us to solve agricultural challenges by using AI tools, we’ll unlock faster discoveries with germplasm data and grow better crops that strengthen our food system for many future generations.”
The federal government launched the Genesis Mission in November 2025 to accelerate scientific discovery through artificial intelligence. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy coordinates the national initiative.
The mission brings together federal scientists, private companies, universities and major research facilities to address complex scientific and technological challenges. Participating teams will gain access to the American Science and Security Platform, shared infrastructure developed by the Department of Energy.
The platform will connect scientific datasets, research equipment and AI tools. USDA hopes the combined resources will help researchers turn large collections of plant data into discoveries breeders can use.
