The U.S. Support Program to IAEA Safeguards (USSP) provides more than $20 million annually to strengthen the efficiency and increase the effectiveness of IAEA Safeguards. The interagency Subgroup on Safeguards Technical Support (SSTS) and the International Safeguards Project Office (ISPO) at Brookhaven National Laboratory work together with public and private sector contractors to help the IAEA obtain the technical support required to meet its verification responsibilities to its member states. Between June 2000 and June 2001, ISPO and the SSTS participated in strategic planning meetings to identify the USSP's priorities, goals and strategies that reflect the current and projected requirements of the IAEA and the priorities of the U.S. government. In order for the USSP to effectively support the IAEA, it is important that the USSP's contractors, as well as the IAEA, understand the motivations of the USSP. This paper will discuss the outcome of the USSP planning activities that will be useful for USSP contractors and the IAEA.