The concept of agroforestry is shifting from a set of stand-alone field-based technologies to an emphasis on the role of trees in productive agroecosystems and landscapes. This shift is driving efforts by ICRAF to reform its research and development programs, regionalize its programs, and forge strategic partnerships from global to local levels. In partnership with the global ASB consortium, this new approach is being applied in the development of collaborative agroforestry systems research for montane mainland Southeast Asia conducted in northern Thailand. Steps have included characterizing the eco-regional context: establishing a partnership framework and a benchmark research site; identifying key driving forces, patterns of change, and policy-related issues; and building an action-oriented research strategy. The strategy includes analytical overlays that focus on food security, livelihoods, environmental services, and institutions. Activities conducted under each overlay employ approaches and tools that help integrate assessments at field, household & community, and landscape & watershed levels. Outputs focus on addressing strategic technological, institutional and policy needs required to achieve significant widespread improvement in the goods and services provided by agroforestry landscapes.