The world-wide importance of malaria in restricting economic growth, labor productivity and social progress in many less developed portions of the world and A.I.D.'s past, present and future role in the control of this disease is briefly reviewed. In developing its future role in a changing and dynamic setting, the A.I.D. has developed and established new policies for malaria control which interlink more closely with the Primary Health Care systems and directly relate, in many cases, to other A.I.D. health projects in child survival. These new policies and criteria are summarized. A review of the three emphasis areas of research, training and program design is provided. Intersectorial coordination is stressed as is cooperation in its assistance efforts with multilateral and other bilateral agencies in combatting this disease. The paper concludes that malaria remains an important health interest of the A.I.D. and support for technology development, transfer and adaptation is expected due to the economic and social importance of the disease.