IWYP is building new genetic systems based on the discovery and selection of novel genetic variation and physiological traits, associated QTLs, genetic markers, underlying genes, phenomics methods and protocols for transforming yield potential in breeding programs. Currently some 30 selected international projects are contributing. Significant outputs from the projects are field validated and combined in elite germplasm via a centralized translational research and prebreeding pipeline (IWYP Hub). The new knowledge, genetics, trait assays and improved lines are made available to any breeding program, public or private, with the hope that this will increase the probability of impact in farmers’ fields around the world. High biomass associated with higher harvest index is a major target ideotype. The first new lines with high biomass having high photosynthesis and radiation use efficiency showed 10% yield increases over elite check varieties across a diverse set of environments. A panel of elite lines, including the high biomass lines, was evaluated for 31 traits, including photosynthetic efficiency, and genotyped using the Axiom 35K Breeders Array. 94 SNPs were significantly correlated to these traits. Some of these SNPs are undergoing validation for use in breeding programs. These markers are also being used to screen other elite lines to define their frequency in current elite breeding populations and parents. New studies are underway on elite and landrace wheats, and also wild wheat progenitors, to find extraordinary photosynthetic efficiency (RUE), energy use efficiency (EUE), harvest index, biomass production, phenology, canopy architectures and spike characters. Already known genes for phenology have been assayed in current breeding germplasm to assess their effects in driving increases in yield and harvest index. This information is being used to develop a breeding decision tool to specify the optimal combinations of phenology alleles for particular environments. Variation in spike development and sink strength is being studied in depth. Deployment of novel TILLING approaches are discovering new mutants, in defined genes, having increased grain size or grain number and the means of creating novel variation across homoeologous loci. Favorable mutations are being introgressed into several elite parents to evaluate their effect on grain yield under field conditions and across environments. These and other discoveries together with the strategies to validate them and combine them in elite germplasm will be presented and discussed to exemplify current progress towards increasing yield potential substantially.