Research centers + institutes
KU's 11 largest research centers are recognized as University Research Centers and report to the Office of Research. Faculty and students pursue research, teaching and community outreach on a broad range of topics. Their work aligns with local, national, and global needs and provides benefits to individuals, groups and the public good.
![A teacher works with a young student and points at a piece of paper while in a room with instruments](/sites/research/files/images/2021/aai-institute-student-teacher-copy.jpg)
Achievement & Assessment Institute
AAI and its centers partner with agencies to improve the lives of children and adults through academics, employment, career advancement and building healthy environments.![Two researchers stand among shelves of collections at the Biodiversity Institute](/sites/research/files/images/2021/biodiversity-institute-collections-copy.jpg)
Biodiversity Institute
The KU Biodiversity Institute is an internationally recognized center for research and graduate education in systematics, evolutionary biology, paleontology and archaeology.![A researcher in a dark room looks up from a microscope eyepiece](/sites/research/files/images/2021/cebc-microscope-copy.jpg)
Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis
Researchers at KU's Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis are developing cost-competitive chemical manufacturing processes that prevent waste and conserve natural resources.![Two researchers discuss while standing next to a KU-designed small airplane](/sites/research/files/images/2021/cresis-airplane-copy.jpg)
Center for Remote Sensing & Integrated Systems
Major research directions include the development and field deployment of radar remote sensing technologies for measurements of ice sheets and sea ice.![A bird's eye view shows a speaker talking in the middle of a crowd to talk more closely to them](/sites/research/files/images/2021/hall-center-speaker-series-copy.jpg)
Hall Center for the Humanities
The Hall Center for the Humanities supports, creates, and disseminates research in the humanities; provides an intellectual hub for scholars and students; and fosters interdisciplinary conversation across the university.![A researcher works closely with wires](/sites/research/files/images/2021/student-research-closeup.jpg)
Institute for Information Sciences
I2S advances knowledge and creates innovative technologies in telecommunications, information systems, bioinformatics and radar.![A researcher works closely with a machine while another researcher supervises behind](/sites/research/files/images/2021/bioengineering-research-copy.jpg)
Institute for Bioengineering Research
IBER provides a research, teaching, and scholarly environment that promotes creativity while catalyzing collaborations that will solve problems impacting societal health and well-being.![Two people speak in the Kansas State Capitol. One holds a folder](/sites/research/files/images/2021/kansas-state-house-copy.jpg)
Institute for Policy & Social Research
The Institute for Policy & Social Research is a faculty-driven research center supporting social scientists who focus on social problems and policy-relevant questions.![Two researchers kneel down to collect items outside in a densely forested area](/sites/research/files/images/2021/kansas-biological-survey-field-work-copy.jpg)
Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research
The Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research is a KU designated research center focused on ecosystems research and remote sensing/GIS programs.![A researcher with a walking stick and head lamp enters a cave](/sites/research/files/images/2021/kansas-geological-survey-field-work-copy.jpg)
Kansas Geological Survey
The Kansas Geological Survey is a research and service division that investigates and provides information about the state's geologic and groundwater resources.![A teacher works with students who play with play-doh](/sites/research/files/images/2021/life-span-child-research-copy.jpg)