Soybean genomics research community strategic plan: A vision for 2024–2028

This strategic plan summarizes the major accomplishments achieved in the last quinquennial by the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genetics and genomics research community and outlines key priorities for the next 5 years (2024–2028). This work is the result of deliberations among over 50 soybean researchers during a 2‐day workshop in St Louis, MO, USA, at the end of 2022. The plan is divided into seven traditional areas/disciplines: Breeding, Biotic Interactions, Physiology and Abiotic Stress, Functional Genomics, Biotechnology, Genomic Resources and Datasets, and Computational Resources. One additional section was added, Training the Next Generation of Soybean Researchers, when it was identified as a pressing issue during the workshop. This installment of the soybean genomics strategic plan provides a snapshot of recent progress while looking at future goals that will improve resources and enable innovation among the community of basic and applied soybean researchers. We hope that this work will inform our community and increase support for soybean research. Core Ideas Public and private investment is critical to advance and apply soybean genomics and related fields of research. Research priorities coevolve with the emergence of new opportunities and technologies available to researchers. The strategic plan was designed by and for soybean researchers working within various scientific sub‐disciplines. The plan summarizes the current state of knowledge and defines funding priorities for 2024–2028. Plain Language Summary The soybean genomics research community engages with an ever‐changing landscape of challenges and opportunities related to the study, application, and utility of soybean research. A group of soybean researchers, including representatives from public institutions, industry, and funding entities across the United States, recently gathered to discuss these challenges and opportunities, with a focus on recent progress and future priorities for the research community. These priorities depend on investments in the development and maintenance of essential resources, such as genomic datasets, germplasm banks, and mutant populations. Furthermore, investments in training and retaining the next generation of soybean researchers across research disciplines are essential to creating a vibrant research community. The resulting document provides a framework for the current state of the soybean genomics community and can be used by researchers and funding a