Title XVII of the Department of Defense Authorization Act authorizes the Institute of Peace to support research and other efforts addressing the causes of international conflict and focusing on peacemaking theories and experiences. Other institute functions are the promotion of peace education programs, training, establishment of a clearinghouse on peacemaking, and public outreach through contracts with a wide range of public and private institutions. The institute's substantive focus is on theories, strategies, and techniques of negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration as applied to the prevention and resolution of international conflicts. Legislation establishing the institute resulted from an 8-year campaign involving researchers, practicing mediators, and others. Possible scenarios for the institute's influence on the dispute-resolution field are (1) a weak or coopted institute, (2) a strong peace institute, and (3) a subverted peace institute. Beginning efforts indicate the institute will probably be strong. Four notes are provided; a chart shows the legislative history of the institute.