In recent years, high quality genome sequences have been obtained for a number of crop species. This tremendous progress has built the foundation for studying the biological functions of the genome and identifying agriculturally useful genes, and opened enormous opportunities for crop genetic improvement. To provide a venue for reviewing the developments in ideas, approaches, innovations and advances in plant breeding programs making use of the achievements in genomic research and formulating possible collaboration, the Fourth International Symposium on Genomics and Crop Genetic Improvement will be held at August 7-9, 2016, in Huazhong Agricultural University. The conference will feature keynote speeches, plenary speeches by world-renowned experts in the field, oral and poster presentations contributed by the participants, to provide an environment for promoting discussions.