Research centers in schools of social work are growing in number and scope. In this article the authors argue that this increase is in line with the growing recognition that research and science are critical components of the mission of the social work profession. The authors examine the purposes and various models for establishing research centers in schools of social work. They highlight the phases of development in the Hamovitch Center for Science in the Human Services at the University of Southern California School of Social Work and articulate the operational principles on which the center is based and that have driven its operation and significant growth during the past decade.