In 1990, the U.S. Congress authorized establishment of a National Genetic Resources Program (NGRP). It is the NGRP's responsibility to: acquire, characterize, preserve, document, and distribute to scientists, germplasm of all lifeforms important for food and agricultural production.

The Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) web server provides germplasm information about plants, animals, microbes and invertebrates. This program is within the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.

National Plant Germplasm System - GRIN

National Animal Germplasm Program - GRIN

National Microbial Germplasm Program - GRIN

National Invertebrate Genetic Resources Program - GRIN