Research Centers & Institutes

At Oregon's only urban-serving research university, our students and faculty leverage multidisciplinary approaches to addressing critical issues facing our community. Our discoveries expand knowledge. Our innovations push the boundary of the state of the art. At Portland State, our university research centers and institutes ask not if, but how, because taking bold action produces bold results.

Portland streetcar

Transportation Research & Education Center

The Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) at PSU brings together a wide range of researchers, stakeholders, and decisionmakers to collectively shape how we move through the world.

The Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative

The Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative (HRAC) at PSU addresses the challenges of homelessness through research that uncovers conditions that lead to and perpetuate homelessness. 

The Center for Internship, Mentoring and Research

The Center for Internship, Mentoring and Research (CIMR) at Portland State University hosts programs for undergraduate students who want practical training, internships, and hands-on research experiences in real world settings.

A group of students gather around a long table and smile at the camera
Electron microscopy

Center for Electron Microscopy & Nanofabrication

The Center for Electron Microscopy and Nanofabrication (CEMN) is a service center at Portland State and a signature research facility of the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnology Institute.

Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

Established by Oregon House Bill 2049 (2023) and housed at PSU, the OCCoE represents a collaborative effort among Portland State University, Oregon State University and University of Oregon.

Mark O. Hatfield Cybersecurity & Cyberdefense Policy Center

The Mark O. Hatfield Cybersecurity & Cyberdefense Policy Center is a founding member and home of the Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence and a nationally recognized Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research.

Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services

Center for Life in Extreme Environments

Regional Research Institute for Human Services

Center for Public Interest Design