The Botanical Society of America

Our Mission: To inspire and promote an inclusive global community committed to advancing fundamental knowledge and innovation in the botanical sciences for the benefit of people and the environment.

Strategic Priorities

Human Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
Research and Scholarly Excellence 
Organizational Impact and Visibility 
Professional Development

To see the BSA Strategic Plan click here (PDF).

Diversity and inclusion are core values of the Botanical Society of America. Click here to read BSA's 2020 Response to Racism Against our Black Colleagues and Community. Click here to read our 2021 Statement Against AAPI Racism.

To provide feedback to the Society on ways we can make improvements in relation to DEI, please use this form.

Society Publications & Research Journals

Find Out if You Are Eligible to Publish Your Work Open Access for Free!

The American Journal of Botany welcomes applications for our 2026 AJB Synthesis papers and the AJB Synthesis Prize to showcase early-career scientists
Applications Deadline: June 5, 2026

The AJB Synthesis section features invited contributions by early-career scientists that concisely summarize and synthesize a focal research area or question. These articles summarize recent research and provide new insights that advance the field. Contributions focus on newly emerging areas or provide new perspectives on established areas. Authors are encouraged to express a personal perspective, while maintaining a balanced view of the field. Syntheses should be single-authored, no longer than 3,000 words, written so they are accessible to the broad readership of the journal, and have informative and creative visuals. All Synthesis papers accepted for publication and published in fall 2026 through spring 2027 will be considered for the AJB Synthesis Prize.

Consideration for the AJB Synthesis Prize: All Synthesis papers that are accepted for publication will be evaluated by a panel of judges, and one paper will be selected for the AJB Synthesis prize. The author whose paper is selected will be awarded a $2,000 cash prize.

For full information, click here. For previous papers published, click here.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact ajb@botany.org. 

APPS SPECIAL ISSUE CALL FOR PAPERS

“Plant genome skimming: Special uses and future potential”
Proposal Submission Deadline Extended to May 15, 2026

Applications in Plant Sciences (APPS) is accepting proposals for a special issue: “Plant genome skimming: Special uses and future potential.” Genome skimming is used to efficiently obtain high-copy-number genomic sequences, such as organellar genomes and repetitive nuclear elements, as well as single-copy nuclear DNA, from a biological sample. Recent improvements in sequencing technology mean that cost-effective sequencing can now be performed at greater depth, allowing large parts of the nuclear genome to be assembled from genome skimming data. Genome skimming has found uses including phylogenetics, phylogeography, metagenomics, pathogen diagnostics, biodiversity assessments, and eDNA surveys. This special issue will highlight new approaches, tools, databases, software, and pipelines for use in acquiring and analyzing genome skimming data.

Click here for more information (or click here for a PDF).

PlantingScience.org

PlantingScience is a free online resource to teachers and schools. The program provides volunteer scientists, resources, and activities to support innovation in teaching, learning, and mentoring. To learn more, or to get involved, click here.

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