The program, which began operation in February 1988, has a 2-year objective of designing a series of longitudinal cohort studies, coupled where feasible with assessments of the effects of experimental interventions. The development of the program's research plans is implemented by program staff working with a number of technical working groups under the general supervision of an interdisciplinary research advisory board. Working groups appointed by the board have been directed to prepare reports on the design of model longitudinal studies of various stages of human development in relation to participation in crime, delinquency, and serious antisocial behavior. The program was established because of the belief within the criminological research community that significant empirical and theoretical progress in the understanding of crime, its causes, treatment, and prevention will greatly benefit from the availability of improved longitudinal data on participation in delinquency, crime, and other serious antisocial behaviors. This prospectus lists the limitations of former longitudinal research designs that this program will attempt to address. 3 references.