USADA held a scientific symposium to define its research goals and mission. The meeting involved scientists from industry, government, academia and the anti-doping community. The initial research goals were established as:

• Development and validation of a method for detection of exogenous erythropoietin (EPO)
• Development and validation of a method for detection of exogenous growth hormone or its analogs
• Development of improved methods for prolonged detection of synthetic anabolic steroids (e.g., new, longer lived metabolites)
• Improvement and validation of technology (e.g., carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry) for identification of exogenous use of naturally produced steroids such as testosterone, androstenedione, etc.
• Ethical considerations in athletic doping control