The Multinational Arabidopsis Steering Committee (MASC) was established in the 1990s  to promote large-scale studies in Arabidopsis thaliana, helping to coordinate international efforts, avoid redundancies and reinforce and strengthen the Arabidopsis research community. Nowadays, the main aim of this research group is to translate the vast information gathered in the past decades, in particular, genome sequences, to precise molecular mechanisms, whole plant performance, evolution and population studies, and to boost the interaction and exchange with other plant research communities.

The Multinational Arabidopsis Steering Committee (MASC) is composed of representatives from each country with major efforts in Arabidopsis research or coalition of countries with smaller programs. MASC implements overall research coordination and annually reviews scientific progress and identifies needs and new opportunities for the global Arabidopsis research community. MASC also acts in an advisory capacity to various national funding agencies. An annual report is published summarizing major events, progress and efforts, with specific contributions from each of the countries represented.