The need for increased productivity in rehabilitation research by a larger number of physicians is discussed. The ingredients of appropriate research training are described, and include recruitment, education, skill attainment and an apprenticeship. An estimate is made that the desired increase in research productivity could be achieved if each year for the next five to ten years just 20 physiatrists could be trained in rehabilitation research. Suggestions are made as to how the training of that number of physiatrists annually can be brought about.