The activities of the Institute of Gerontology at The University of Michigan from 1975 through 1980 are examined. The Institute offers consultation and support services to instructional units for the development of post-baccalaureate educational programs and sponsors annual series of seminars and workshops for faculty members and professional practitioners. Certification is granted to graduate students who complete course work in four of five areas: the environmental and social aspects of aging, biological and medical aspects of aging, public policy issues and aging, cognitive and individual behavioral aspects of aging, and the arts and humanities and aging. Certification also requires a field placement or research internship. Additionally, the Institute offers specialized training programs, including current activities in advocacy, nursing home care, preretirement education, and community-based support groups. Advocacy efforts have included a nursing home community councils project, a health advocacy project, a biregional advocacy assistance center, consumer education projects, projects concerning older women, and maltreatment of the elderly. The needs of the elderly in relation to housing that is adequate, affordable, and in the location of their choice has been the focus of public policy and research. The plight of older workers, preretirement education, the needs of elderly minority group members, and the creative potential in the later years have also been topics of concern. Support services for research and teaching and the application of research to practice are addressed. (SW)