The world still lacks the theoretical and empirical knowledge base for multidisciplinary perspectives on health development as most research is done mainly from a single disciplinary perspective. The future establishment of the Peking University China Research Center for Health Development will take a multi-disciplinary approach to health-related research that has applicability to health policy challenges in China. In order to successfully launch the research center, this 18-month planning grant aims to design the organizational structure and modality of operations; to help identify and recruit an outstanding Center director; and to an initial work agenda. An external consultant will develop options for organizational design of the center so that senior faculty can develop consensus on the Center's development. A search firm will be hired to canvass for candidates for the directorship, who will be ultimately appointed by the PUHSC President. Some initial research activities will be developed within this planning period -- including metrics for health systems, policies for human resource, and global health activities. Some experts will be commissioned to deal with the immediate technical work of the Center, producing advisory papers on themes such as health financing and health information systems.