In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a policy requiring external peer review of research portfolios every five years. Six years later, the agency expanded the policy to include the evaluation of scientific programs, which includes research (intramural and extramural) and non-research activities. Organizational units across CDC have tailored their assessments to maximize the utility of the evaluation findings for generating recommendations that guide and improve public health programs. This session examines the approaches for conducting portfolio assessments from three centers/offices that focus on injury prevention and control, disabilities and birth defects, and public health preparedness and response. The presenters will elaborate on the processes and decisions faced in each of their portfolio reviews that affect evaluation quality, and engage the audience in a discussion on strategies and lessons learned for conducting high quality research or scientific program evaluations in the government setting.#2010Conference #GovernmentEvaluation #DisasterandEmergencyManagementEvaluation