The Bean Improvement Cooperative (BIC) is a voluntary and informal organization that was established to effect the exchange of information and materials for the improvement of bean production worldwide. Members include scientists, students, private organizations and lay-people interested in our mission.

Since its first meeting in 1959 at Madison, Wisconsin, the Bean Improvement Cooperative holds a biennial meeting at which members and colleagues from around the world and from a number of diverse disciplines can interact and exchange information on bean improvement.

NAPIA’s originating organization, the National Pea Improvement Association, was formed in 1956 as an organization supporting fresh pea breeders. Over the years, the focus began to turn more toward dry pea. In 1999, the name was changed to North American Pulse Improvement Association (NAPIA) to include other food legumes and the Canadian pulse industry. The mission of NAPIA is to provide a forum to share scientific results and research of pulse crops. The organization has members representing academia, industry and government.