INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.21

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, effective as of January 30, 2009, by and between Waddell & Reed Advisors Funds (the “Trust”) and Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company (“WRIMCO”), with respect to each series of the Trust listed in Appendix A (each, a “Fund”).

WITNESSETH:

In consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:

I.             In General

WRIMCO agrees to act as investment adviser to each  Fund with respect to the investment of its assets and in general to supervise the investments of each Fund, subject at all times to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, all as more fully set forth herein.

II.           Duties of WRIMCO with respect to investment of assets of the Trust

A.  WRIMCO shall regularly provide investment advice to each Fund and shall, subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, continuously supervise the investment and reinvestment of cash, securities or other property comprising the assets of the investment portfolios of each Fund; and in furtherance thereof, WRIMCO shall as to each Fund:

1.  obtain and evaluate pertinent information about significant developments and economic, statistical and financial data, domestic, foreign or otherwise, whether affecting the economy generally or one or more of the portfolios of the Fund, and whether concerning the individual companies whose securities are included in the Fund’s portfolios or the industries in which they engage, or with respect to securities which WRIMCO considers desirable for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio;

2.  furnish continuously an investment program for the Fund;

3.  determine what securities shall be purchased or sold by the Fund; and

4.  take, on behalf of the Fund, all actions which appear to WRIMCO necessary to carry into effect such investment programs and supervisory functions as aforesaid, including the placing of purchase and sell orders.

B.  WRIMCO shall make appropriate and regular reports to the Board of Trustees of the Trust on the actions it takes pursuant to Section II.A. above.  Any investment programs furnished by WRIMCO under this section, or any supervisory function taken hereunder by WRIMCO shall at all times conform to and be in accordance with any requirements imposed by:

1.  the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act, as amended (“1940 Act”) and any rules or regulations in force thereunder;

2.  any other applicable provision of law;

3.  the provisions of the Trust Instrument of the Trust as amended from time to time;

4.  the provisions of the Bylaws of the Trust as amended from time to time;

5.  the terms of the registration statements of the Trust, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act.

C.  Any investment programs furnished by WRIMCO under this section or any supervisory functions taken hereunder by WRIMCO shall at all times be subject to any directions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, its Executive Committee, or any committee or officer of the Trust acting pursuant to authority given by the Board of Trustees.

III.          Allocation of Expenses

The expenses of the Trust and the expenses of WRIMCO in performing its functions under this Agreement shall be divided into two classes, to wit:  (i) those expenses which will be paid in full by WRIMCO as set forth in subparagraph “A” hereof, and (ii) those expenses which will be paid in full by each Fund, as set forth in subparagraph “B” hereof.

A.  With respect to the duties of WRIMCO under Section II above, it shall pay in full, except as to the brokerage and research services acquired through the allocation of commissions as provided in Section IV hereinafter, for (a) the salaries and employment benefits of all employees of WRIMCO who are engaged in providing these advisory services; (b) adequate office space and suitable office equipment for such employees; and (c) all telephone and communications costs relating to such functions.  In addition, WRIMCO shall pay the fees and expenses of all trustees of the Trust who are employees of WRIMCO or an affiliated corporation and the salaries and employment benefits of all officers of the Trust who are affiliated persons of WRIMCO.

B.  The Funds shall pay in full for all of their respective expenses which are not listed above (other than those assumed by WRIMCO or its affiliates in their respective capacities as principal underwriter of the shares of each of the Funds, as Shareholder Servicing Agent or as Accounting Services Agent for the Funds), including (a) the costs of preparing and printing prospectuses and reports to shareholders of the Funds, including mailing costs; (b) the costs of printing all proxy statements and all other costs and expenses of meetings of shareholders of the Funds (unless the Trust and WRIMCO shall otherwise agree); (c) interest, taxes, brokerage commission and premiums on fidelity and other insurance; (d) audit fees and expenses of independent accountants and legal fees and expenses of attorneys, but not of attorneys who are employees of WRIMCO or an affiliated company; (e) fees and expenses of its trustees not affiliated with WRIMCO or its affiliates; (f) custodian fees and expenses; (g) fees payable by the Trust and/or the Funds under the Securities Act of 1933, the 1940 Act and the securities or “Blue-Sky” laws of any jurisdiction; (h) fees and assessments of the Investment Company

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Institute or any successor organization; (i) such nonrecurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including litigation affecting the Trust and/or the Funds, and any indemnification by the Trust of its officers, directors, employees and agents with respect thereto; (j) the costs and expenses provided for in any Shareholder Servicing Agreement or Accounting Services Agreement, including amendments thereto, contemplated by subsection C of this Section III.  In the event that any of the foregoing shall, in the first instance, be paid by WRIMCO, a Fund shall pay the same to WRIMCO on presentation of a statement with respect thereto.

C.  WRIMCO, or an affiliate of WRIMCO, may also act as (i) transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent of each Fund of the Trust and/or as (ii) accounting services agent of each Fund of the Trust if at the time in question there is a separate agreement, “Shareholder Servicing Agreement” and/or “Accounting Services Agreement,” covering such functions between the Trust and WRIMCO or such affiliate.  The corporation, whether WRIMCO or its affiliate, which is the party to such Agreement with the Trust is referred to as the “Agent.”  Each such Agreement shall provide in substance that it shall not go into effect, or be amended, or a new agreement covering the same topics between the Trust and the Agent be entered into as to a Fund, unless the terms of such Agreement, such amendment or such new agreement have been approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including the vote of a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act, of either party to the Agreement, such amendment or such new agreement (considering WRIMCO to be such a party even if at the time in question the Agent is an affiliate of WRIMCO), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.  Such a vote is referred to as a “disinterested trustee” vote.  Each such Agreement shall also provide in substance for its continuance, unless terminated, for a specified period which shall not exceed two years from the date of its execution and from year to year thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a disinterested trustee vote, and that any disinterested trustee vote shall include a determination that (i) the Agreement, amendment, new agreement or continuance in question is in the best interests of each affected Fund and its shareholders; (ii) the services to be performed under the Agreement, the Agreement as amended, new agreement or agreement to be continued are services required for the operation of the Fund; (iii) the Agent can provide services the nature and quality of which are at least equal to those provided by others offering the same or similar services; and (iv) the fees for such services are fair and reasonable in light of the usual and customary charges made by others for services of the same nature and quality.  Any such Agreement may also provide in substance that any disinterested trustee vote may be conditioned on the favorable vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in or under the 1940 Act) of the outstanding shares of each class or series of the Trust.  Any such Agreement shall also provide in substance that it may be terminated as to a Fund by the Agent at any time without penalty upon giving the Trust one hundred twenty (120) days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Trust) and may be terminated as to a Fund by the Trust at any time without penalty upon giving the Agent sixty (60) days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Agent), provided that such termination by the Trust shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust in office at the time or by the vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in or under the 1940 Act) of the outstanding shares of each class or series of the Trust.

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IV.         Brokerage

A.  WRIMCO may select brokers to effect the portfolio transactions of each Fund on the basis of its estimate of their ability to obtain, for reasonable and competitive commissions, the best execution of particular and related portfolio transactions.  For this purpose, “best execution” means prompt and reliable execution at the most favorable price obtainable.  Such brokers may be selected on the basis of all relevant factors including the execution capabilities required by the transaction or transactions, the importance of speed, efficiency, or confidentiality, and the willingness of the broker to provide useful or desirable investment research and/or special execution services.  WRIMCO shall have no duty to seek advance competitive commission bids and may select brokers based solely on its current knowledge of prevailing commission rates.

B.  Subject to the foregoing, WRIMCO shall have discretion, in the interest of the Funds, to direct the execution of its portfolio transactions to brokers who provide brokerage and/or research services (as such services are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) for the Funds and/or other accounts for which WRIMCO exercises “investment discretion” (as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(35) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); and in connection with such transactions, to pay commission in excess of the amount another adequately qualified broker would have charged if WRIMCO determines, in good faith, that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of WRIMCO with respect to the accounts for which it exercises investment discretion.  In reaching such determination, WRIMCO will not be required to attempt to place a specified dollar amount on the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker; provided that WRIMCO shall be prepared to demonstrate that such determinations were made in good faith, and that all commissions paid by the Funds over a representative period selected by the Trust’s Board of Trustees were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Funds.

V.           Compensation of WRIMCO

As compensation in full for services rendered and for the facilities and personnel furnished under sections I, II, and IV of this Agreement, each Fund will pay to WRIMCO for each day the fees specified in Appendix B hereto.

The amounts payable to WRIMCO shall be determined as of the close of business each day; shall, except as set forth below, be based upon the value of net assets computed in accordance with the Trust Instrument; and shall be paid in arrears whenever requested by WRIMCO.  In computing the value of the net assets of each Fund, there shall be excluded the amount owed to the Fund with respect to shares which have been sold but not yet paid to the Fund by Waddell & Reed, Inc.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the laws, regulations or policies of any state in which shares of the Funds are qualified for sale limit the operation and management expenses of the Funds, WRIMCO will refund to the Funds the amount by which such expenses exceed the lowest of such state limitations.

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VI.         Undertakings of WRIMCO; Liabilities

WRIMCO shall give to the Trust the benefit of its best judgment, efforts and facilities in rendering advisory services hereunder.

WRIMCO shall at all times be guided by and be subject to each Fund’s investment policies, the provisions of the Trust Instrument and Bylaws of the Trust as each shall from time to time be amended, and to the decision and determination of the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

This Agreement shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent that the subject matter of this Agreement is within the purview of such Acts.  Insofar as applicable to WRIMCO as an investment adviser and affiliated person of the Trust, WRIMCO shall comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the respective rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of WRIMCO it shall not be subject to liability to the Trust or to any shareholder of the Funds (direct or beneficial) for any act or omission in the course of or connected with rendering services thereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security.

VII.        Duration of this Agreement

This Agreement shall become effective at the start of business on the date hereof and shall continue in effect as to a Fund, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, for a period of one year and from year-to-year thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees, including the vote of a majority of the trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, or by the vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

VIII.      Termination

This Agreement may be terminated as to a Fund by WRIMCO at any time without penalty upon giving the Trust one hundred twenty (120) days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by the Trust) and may be terminated as to a Fund by the Trust at any time without penalty upon giving WRIMCO sixty (60) days’ written notice (which notice may be waived by WRIMCO), provided that such termination by the Trust shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust in office at the time or by the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the affected Fund.  This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment, the term “assignment” for this purpose having the meaning defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers and their corporate seal to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.

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APPENDIX A

TO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

Waddell & Reed Advisors Accumulative Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Asset Strategy Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Bond Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Cash Management

Waddell & Reed Advisors Continental Income Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Core Investment Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Dividend Opportunities Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Energy Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Global Bond Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Government Securities Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors High Income Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors International Growth Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Municipal Bond Fund

Waddell & Reed Municipal High Income Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors New Concepts Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Science and Technology Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Small Cap Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Tax-Managed Equity Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Value Fund

Waddell & Reed Advisors Vanguard Fund

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APPENDIX B

TO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

WADDELL & REED ADVISORS FUNDS

FEE SCHEDULE

A cash fee computed each day on net asset value for each Fund at the annual rates listed below:

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*If the Fund’s net assets are less than $25 million, Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company has agreed to waive the management fee, subject to its right to change or modify this waiver.

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