The National Institute of Education's (NIE) statement of procedures is presented that is used to determine which of the 17 existing regional educational laboratories and research and development (R&D) centers are ready for long-term special institutional agreements. Long-term agreements are defined as 5 years of NIE support. The statement includes explanations of what such agreements entail, the steps NIE will take in making these initial decisions, and the types of support and assistance NIE will provide to laboratories and centers not presently ready for long-term agreements. The purpose of awarding long-term special institutional agreements to labs and centers is to enhance their stability and the institutional character of their missions and functions. Information is provided on purposes of the laboratories and centers and the types of institutional functions and R&D activities supported. In addition to discussing the timing of the long-term agreements, attention is directed to the level of support, governance and priority-setting, mission and scope of work, relationships between NIE and special institutions, administration and organization, staffing and subcontracting, and the relationship of NIE-sponsored work to work supported by other sources. A list of existing laboratories and centers is appended. (SW)