NAPB 2026 at Texas A&M Showcases Innovation, Expanded Borlaug Scholars

Annual plant breeding conference highlights cutting-edge research and growing mentorship program for future scientists.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:33pm

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A highly structured abstract painting in earthy tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex interconnected systems of plant genetics and breeding.The 2026 NAPB conference at Texas A&M will showcase how cutting-edge plant breeding research and mentorship programs are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.College Station Today

The 2026 National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB) Annual Meeting at Texas A&M will bring together researchers, students, and industry leaders from June 15-18 to explore the latest innovations in plant science and invest in the next generation of breeders through the expanded Borlaug Scholars program.

Why it matters

As the plant breeding field rapidly evolves with new technologies like AI-driven phenotyping, the NAPB conference offers a rare opportunity to see cutting-edge research and development in action, while also supporting the growth of the Borlaug Scholars program which aims to cultivate the next wave of global plant science leaders.

The details

The event will feature advanced breeding demonstrations across major crops like cotton, corn, sorghum, and rice, as well as tours of high-tech phenomics facilities enabling automated, data-driven breeding. Alongside the technical agenda, the Borlaug Scholars program has expanded to include an African wing, pairing 156 students from 37 universities worldwide with 2,000 hours of mentorship from industry and academic experts.

  • The NAPB 2026 Annual Meeting will take place from June 15-18, 2026 in College Station, Texas.
  • The Borlaug Scholars program was launched in 2018 and has since paired 156 mentors with students.

The players

National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB)

A professional organization that hosts an annual conference focused on the latest innovations and developments in plant breeding.

Texas A&M University

The host institution for the 2026 NAPB Annual Meeting, located in one of the most diverse agricultural regions of the United States.

Borlaug Scholars Program

An initiative launched by NAPB in 2018 to connect plant breeding students with mentors across academia and industry, recently expanded to include an African wing.

Bayer, Corteva, Inari, ASTA

Companies that have sponsored the Borlaug Scholars program, providing funding and support for the next generation of plant scientists.

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What’s next

NAPB is actively inviting new sponsors to support the Borlaug Scholars program ahead of the 2026 conference.

The takeaway

The NAPB 2026 conference at Texas A&M represents a unique opportunity to witness the latest advancements in plant breeding technology while also investing in the future of the industry through the growing Borlaug Scholars mentorship program.