A review of the present and future of rice genomics is presented. Rice is a model species for cereals as well as a very important crop. Its genome has been the focus of many mapping experiments associated with QTL localization. These genetic maps now serve as a background for physical mapping, genome sequencing and gene discovery. Recent progress are reviewed. The next step in rice genomics is functional genomics with the determination of the function of the genes. The most straightforward approaches are discussed.