The following 1984 budget document is one of three publications that have been prepared to report on CIMMYT's program of work, accomplishments, financial management and future funding requirements. One of the companion reports, the 1982 Annual Report, includes the complete independently audited report on CIMMYT's 1982 revenues and expenses, highlights of the year's program of work, discussion of five-year funding and manpower trends and other management issues, and individual 1982 financial and narrative reports on extra core grants. With the creation of this new type of annual report, the former CIMMYT Review has been revamped and will now be called CIMMYT Research Highlights. The 1983 version of this research highlights report will include more data on the Center's scientific progress. Although the three reports draw on the same verbiage in a number of instances, albeit with differing levels of detail, each is designed to provide our various client groups with sufficient information to assess CIMMYT's scope of work, mode of operations, and program achievements. As in past years, for 1984 we once again are presenting a formidable array of budgets and alternatives. This is made all the more complicated by the recent financial developments in Mexico which affected CIMMYT's results in 1982 and planning for 1983. Briefly, these budgets, plans and results can be summarized as follows: In 1982 the devaluation of the Mexican peso resulted in a large underexpenditure compared to budget. Hence the big gap between 1982 Budget and 1982 Actual. For 1983 CIMMYT's current cost structure reflects a lower value of the peso such that the 1983 Budget is approximately the same as the 1982 Actual in spite of having additional planned man-years. Still, the 1983 Budget is much lower than any of the planning figures suggested in previous programs of work and budget. This again is due to the devaluation of the peso. In accordance with instructions received from the CGIAR Secretariart, beginning in 1983 some extra core grants are folded into the core program. This creates an "approved increase for transferred projects" in the budget. The 1983 Current Estimate reflects this increase and is the only difference from the 1983 Budget. For 1984 a budget bracket is presented. The Top of the Bracket represents an increase over the 1983 Current Estimate while the Bottom of the Bracket results in a decrease. Finally, the years 1985-1988 are presented as Projections, using the 1984 Top of the Bracket as a base. In one other respect 1982 was an important year for CIMMYT. This saw the completion of the institute's second quinquennial review. One of the outcomes of the review and subsequent discussions with the TAC was, we believe, the acceptance of a minimum staffing plan designed to permit the optimal effectiveness of the institute, even under the assumption of continued medium-term financial constraints in the CGIAR. This plan-called the minimum/optimum model or mini/opt for short-calls for 85.0 my (not including transferred projects) and is consistent with the goals embodied in CIMMYT's long range plan. The additional staff required to attain this level are described in the special consideration section of the budget.38 pages