The scientific agenda of ARCAD focuses on the study of history and patterns of crop domestication and adaptation as well as on the analysis of key parameters underpinning adaptation and diversity structure, at various time scales, through studies of evolutionary genomics, population genetics and social sciences.

A first grant of EUR 3 million had been accorded by the Agropolis Foundation to the ARCAD scientific component from 2009 to 2014. However, the scientific activities will be continued as soon as news funds will be granted.

About 80 permanent scientists are involved in the ARCAD scientific programme. They mostly belong to two research units, AGAP and DIADE and 3 research institutes (INRA, CIRAD, and IRD). ARCAD also involves scientists belonging to other institutions in Montpellier (CNRS), as well as French and foreign partners.The research activities have been conducted in three major projects:

• SP1. Comparative population genomics
• SP2. Adaptation to climate change
• SP3. Cereals in Africa

These activities have been supported by technological and methodological projects for the analysis and conservation of crop diversity

• SP4. Bioinformatics
• SP5. Pangenomic study of diversity
• SP6. DNA bank
• SP7. Cryopreservation