Research Institutes, Centers, and Initiatives
Columbia Engineering is at the forefront of many strategic areas of research, from environmental sustainability and the human genome to infrastructure sensors, nanotechnology, and data sciences. Our professors and students collaborate with other leading experts not only within the Columbia research community but also at other world-renowned universities and institutions, bringing together the best minds from myriad disciplines to tackle and solve the most challenging problems in society, technology, the environment, infrastructure, and more.
The many interdisciplinary institutes, centers, and initiatives at Columbia Engineering equip our professors with the latest technology, tools, and equipment with the ideal environment to create and thrive. Discover our institutes and centers as well as university initiatives, showcasing some of the broad subject areas in which the School conducts cutting-edge research.
Multidisciplinary Research Institutes and Centers
National Research Centers
Columbia Engineering received grants from the NSF, DOE, ARFL, and others to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and address specific challenges in the following fields:
- Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (NSF STC)
- Smart Streetscapes (NSF ERC)
- Artificial and Natural Intelligence (NSF AI Research Institute)
- Precision-Assembled Quantum Materials (NSF MRSEC)
- Ubiquitous Connectivity (SRC JUMP 2.0)
- Programmable Quantum Materials (DOE EFRC)
- The Neuroscience of Decision-Making (AFRL/AFOSR CoE)
Columbia Engineering Research Centers
Columbia centers are longer-term, multi-partner collaborative projects that engage the university community across schools, departments, and disciplines as well as industry partners in the interest of Engineering for Humanity.
- Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center
- Center of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in collaboration with Amazon
- Center for Digital Finance and Technology
- Center for AI in Business Analytics and Financial Technology
- Nie Center for Intelligent Asset Management
- Center of AI and Responsible Financial Innovation in collaboration with Capital One
- Columbia Sports AI Innovation Research Center in collaboration with Dream Sports
- Columbia Water Center
- Inno-HK: Laboratory for AI-Powered Financial Technologies
- Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy
Current Initiatives
Columbia is engaged in several emerging, cross-disciplinary projects to drive forward the university's strategic goals in cutting-edge research areas.
- CQI: Columbia Quantum Initiative
- Learning Health Systems Initiative
- CarbonTech Development Initiative
- Sustainable Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Women’s & Maternal Health
- Future of Mining/Critical Minerals
- Bio-Materials in Fashion, Construction, & Health