Climate models are the foundation for understanding and projecting climate and climate-related changes and are thus critical tools for supporting climate-related decision making. This study will develop a strategy for improving the nation’s capability to accurately simulate climate and related Earth system changes on decadal to centennial timescales. The committee will consider ways to improve the current climate modeling paradigm and whether there are other approaches with significant potential, identify the most important observations and research activities needed to support the development and validation of climate models, and discuss how to ensure that the nation’s investments in modeling ultimately support decision making. The committee’s report is envisioned as a high level analysis, providing a strategic framework to guide progress in the nation’s climate modeling enterprise over the next 10-20 years. with significant potential, identify the most important observations and research activities needed to support the development and validation of climate models, and discuss how to ensure that the nation’s investments in modeling ultimately support decision making. The committee’s report is envisioned as a high level analysis, providing a strategic framework to guide progress in the nation’s climate modeling enterprise over the next 10-20 years.