The intent of the Research Partnership Program is to maximize the impact of FBI research and development funding by partnering with State and local forensic labs when their research needs align with FBI Lab requirements. One goal of the program is to enhance the transfer of new forensic technologies and procedures to case-working examiners in State and local forensic labs by collaborative research and development, testing, and validation studies. A second goal is to facilitate the implementation of protocols of scientific working groups. A third goal is to stimulate the development of national forensic databases. There are several mechanisms that enable State and local labs to become involved in the program. A research partner may submit a requirement for a need at the State or local level. An FBI scientist works with the potential participants to frame and scope research and development projects based on end-user requirements. These proposals, along with proposals to address FBI internal requirements, are included in the annual review process by which FBI management determines research and development priorities. A partner may request to join an ongoing research and development project. A partner may also collaborate on a requirement to populate a national forensic database. When a partner completes a project, participating scientists take part in testing and validating studies at the FBI's Research Laboratory in Quantico, VA. The research partner is responsible for implementing the new technology. Twenty-five State and local forensic laboratories requested to participate in the Research Partnership Program through collaboration in ongoing 2002 research projects or proposed 2003 research projects. These projects and the partners are briefly described.