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. 

Three people face a large screen with a map of Portland on it. Person furthest right is touching screen to expand the view

The Institute for Sustainable Solutions

The Institute for Sustainable Solutions (ISS) at PSU leads community-university collaborations that target the changes needed to create a sustainable, just, and resilient region, and empowers and supports PSU students, faculty, and alumni to engage in this work. 

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.

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