Dr. Carlos Barahona presented a session on Research Methods Support for the Drylands Systems CRP at the Launch in Amman in May of 2013. The University of Reading Statistical Services Centre is providing support for research and methods for CRP1.1 as well as other GC centres and NAREs. Their goals include making research data carried out by the CG centers and NAREs accessible and usable, expanding the capacity for the provision of research methods support, increasing coordination between CRPs, and increased coordination for institutional support. Challenges to meeting these ambitious goals include difficulties in fostering collaboration among partners, reaching NAREs in order to providing support that is effective and the significant technical challenges that exist in building data depositories that will allow for the benefits of crop simulation modeling. Ways forward include the adoption of a partnership approach that will provide technical support to scientists and institutions working with CRP-DS to improve data quality and research output quality.