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Requesting material from a genebank

Many of the PGRFA whose data is shared through Genesys are available on request from the genebank where they are conserved. When this is the case, Genesys relays requests to the genebank.

Keep in mind that most genebanks distribute small quantities for research, training and breeding purposes, and access is subject to legal and phytosanitary requirements.

Plant Genetic Resources Terminology

The plant material conserved by genebanks is often referred to as germplasm.

How to request material​

The process is designed to be simple and streamlined:

  1. Find accessions. Start by searching Genesys for the crop diversity you need. You can run a basic text search from the Genesys homepage, or refine results by filtering passport data. You can also explore subsets and characterization and evaluation datasets to discover accessions of interest.

  2. Add selected accessions to My List. When you know the accessions you wish to request, you need to add them to a list that Genesys calls My List. You can access the list from the main navigation bar.

    Add multiple accessions lets you paste a list of accession numbers, for example from a spreadsheet:

    Add multiple accessions

    The + Add to My List button appears on the far right of each accession description:

    Add to My List button

    Alternatively, you can also use the Table view in the Accession browser to have a look at the complete passport data and maybe spot accessions of interest more easily. Select the accessions you want to add to My List by checking these boxes:

    Table view with checkboxes

  3. Send the request. Once your list is ready, go to My List and click "Request for material":

    Request for material button

Requesting from multiple genebanks​

Genesys allows you to request material held at different genebanks simultaneously.

Genesys will first check which of the accessions can be requested. Accessions highlighted in red cannot be requested through Genesys and will be automatically excluded. This happens when the genebank has not enabled the option to receive requests through Genesys, or the accession is currently flagged as "unavailable for distribution":

Unavailable accessions highlighted in red

If you cannot request an accession through Genesys, you may find a similar accession held by another institute using the Similarity Search function, and add those to your list instead. Alternatively, contact the genebank directly. The genebank page in Genesys includes a "Show in FAO WIEWS database" link to the respective FAO WIEWS record with contact information.

Filling out the request form​

The request form will guide you through each section. Fill in the required fields as you go. Here is how the form looks:

Material request form overview

Please flag your request as Internal if you are requesting material from your own institute. Internal requests do not require a material transfer agreement and they are not linked with Easy-SMTA.

Justification requirement​

To help genebanks understand the purpose of your request, please include a short justification (at least 100 characters) describing how you intend to use the germplasm. A clear explanation makes it easier for the genebank to review and approve your request.

Indicate whether your request is for personal or professional purposes. This helps us tailor our support accordingly.

Providing your address​

Please provide the address where the material should be sent, whether that is your home or your research institution. This helps the genebank deliver your order to the right place.

Easy-SMTA​

You no longer need to have your email address registered in Easy-SMTA to submit a material request through Genesys.

Confirming your order​

After submitting your request, you will receive an email with a verification key. Follow the steps in this email to confirm your order. Once you confirm your request, Genesys will forward it to the relevant institute(s).

What to expect after submitting your request​

Genebank accessions are not a typical online order. Most genebanks send small samples and may have specific conditions for distribution.

After receiving your request, the genebank(s) will contact you directly about import requirements, phytosanitary certificates, and any material transfer agreements.

If you have a question or concern about a specific germplasm request, please contact the holding institute directly. Genesys does not handle individual distribution or delivery issues. You can find contact information for holding institutes in our data provider directory, the FAO WIEWS database, or any internet search engine.