2026 NVRB Miscellaneous Crop Application

AOSCA is pleased to introduce a new Variety Review Board (VRB) application process designed specifically for crop varieties that do not fall within one of the current existing crop-specific review boards.

This new application pathway provides an opportunity for developers and organizations to submit non-standard or emerging crop varieties for consideration under AOSCA’s certification framework. It is intended to support innovation while maintaining AOSCA’s rigorous standards for variety performance and identity.

Important Note:
Submission of an application through this process does not guarantee acceptance. Applications will be reviewed by an ad hoc group of experienced reviewers. If adequate data (e.g., performance trials, variety descriptions, or distinctiveness data) is not provided or unavailable upon request, the application may be declined.

We encourage applicants to thoroughly review the application guidelines and ensure supporting materials are complete before submission.

For questions, please contact the AOSCA NVRB via email.

  • $600 | Review Board Application

    Price per each variety Part B application.

  • $50 | Review Board Amendment

    Price per amendment application.

  • $0 | Review Board Name Change Amendment

    No cost name change.

Part A

All information provided on this application shall be maintained in complete confidence by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA), its staff, and individual members of the AOSCA Variety Review Board. Each member of the Review Board will be required to sign a statement to this effect prior to their receipt of any applications for review. Upon completion of the review process, reviewers will be required to destroy or delete all applications in their possession.  One copy of each application will be maintained on file in the AOSCA office.

Part B

Disclaimer: AOSCA does not require USDA Name Clearance on VRB Applications. However, we do highly suggest you obtain a name clearance letter from USDA prior to submitting this application. This is an additional layer of protection once the named variety enters the US marketplace.
**Please Note ** ALL applications and attachments must come from the same folder in order to all attach to this submission. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Statement of Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement for Applicants to Variety Review Boards

The applicant, breeder and/or owner of the variety described in this application acknowledges, upon submission of an application, that the role of a Variety Review Board is to review the material as it is originally submitted or supplemented.  It is understood that the information contained within the application is deemed to be confidential and only the summary information prepared and submitted by the applicant will be made available to the general public by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies.  A favorable review of the variety does not automatically confer eligibility for certification in any particular agency jurisdiction nor does it imply eligibility for final certification or final certification of any existing seed or seed that is subsequently produced. Such eligibility recognition and final seed certification decisions are solely the prerogative of individual certifying agencies.  All conclusions of the review process are the opinions of the review boards solely as to the suitability of varieties for certification as determined by the information presented.  Such conclusions are not to be construed as statements about the commercial worth or performance merit of any variety.   While a review board may provide review of the variety name for prior use or similarity with a previously released variety for that crop kind, or genetic ties to a previously released variety, it is ultimately the responsibility of the applicant to submit a variety name that is legal to use in relation to state and federal variety naming statues.   The protocols published in Part B are the basis for review and acceptance.  Prior actions may not establish precedent.  If the variety review board does not consider any of the protocols published in Part B of the application, it will not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of the published protocols, or in any way to affect the right of the variety review board to thereafter enforce each and every provision of these protocols.   The person, company or organization submitting this application for review hereby indemnifies and holds harmless the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies, the members of the Variety Review Board and the organizations and agencies that sponsor the members of the Variety Review Board from and/or against any and all claims, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses that rise in connection with the review of varieties for eligibility for certification.  Such agreement to indemnify and hold harmless shall extend for a period to include the life of the variety being reviewed plus ten (10) years.

Fees

  • $600 | Review Board Application

    Price per each variety Part B application.

  • $50 | Review Board Amendment

    Price per amendment application.

  • $0 | Review Board Name Change Amendment

    No cost name change.

Thank you for taking the time to submit your application(s). Please reach out to nvrb@aosca.org with any questions.
**An electronic signature or name of the agent (person) may accompany digitally submitted applications.