HRSA, AHCPR and NCAP convened a working meeting in November 1992, to discuss creation of a national agenda for research and evaluation on HIV service delivery systems that are cost-effective, responsive to the needs of the diverse populations affected by the epidemic, and reflective of the lessons learned so far. In this article, the interests and goals of the conveners are described, the meeting's process and outcomes are discussed, and the nine key study areas that were identified and chosen by the meeting participants are presented. It is hoped that this article will stimulate further interest among private and public funders and among the research community in fostering the implementation of HIV service delivery-related research and evaluation studies. If this is accomplished, decision-makers will be better enabled to make informed and responsive policy decisions.