This paper reports on an empirical study of research planning in Canadian universities. Drawing on data compiled during interviews with senior administrators from 27 academic units in 10 universities, the paper analyses how strategic planning has been applied to the research mission over the past decade. Findings reveal variability in processes and attitudes about planning, while suggesting that the scope of planning activities in most cases has been somewhat narrow and short-term. The implications of these findings for the administration of research are discussed.