In the National Institute of Education's Research and Development Utilization (RDU) program, individual linking agents assisted the schools participating in RDU projects to locate or generate information that would help improve their educational practices. To assess the training and support provided these field agents by the seven RDU projects, researchers surveyed 49 linking agents, examined each project's training methods, content, and timing, and interviewed the 49 agents' direct supervisors. Linking agent training covered problem-solving, interpersonal and group dynamics, knowledge availability and use, and project administration. Training methods included group discussion, role-playing, one-on-one teaching, and lectures. The research data showed that (1) only minor differences existed among the projects in the training provided; (2) linking agents would have preferred greater variety in training methods and content and greater emphasis on skill development rather than on information acquisition; (3) RDU projects and the agents' host agencies were both important sources of support; and (4) support activities had more impact on agents than training did. The authors recommend that the RDU Program enhance its support for linking agents by helping them interact more with each other and with more resource agencies. (Author/RW)