ECE has traditionally been the home of multiple engineering research centers and currently is the lead or partner of the research centers and institutes below.


Federally-Designated Research Centers Led by Northeastern


Federally-Designated Research Centers Where Northeastern Is a Partner


University Research Institutes and Centers

  • motherboard abstract Institute for Intelligent Networked Systems (INSI)

    INSI pioneers research in wireless systems and networks to make the next generation of internet of things a continuum of connected devices able to interact in new ways with people and the environment—from connected cars and drones, to implantable medical devices and smart communities.

  • robotic arm Institute for Experiential Robotics

    IER focuses on the development of robots able to learn and adaptively execute autonomous behaviors from human partners and/or other robots.

  • Institute for NanoSystems Innovation

    The institute is a global hub focused on pioneering semiconductor research, learning, and innovation.

  • Archimedes Center for Healthcare and Device Security

    The center was established to help manufacturers and industry experts navigate the operational hazards of cybersecurity implementation and prepare them for future challenges of FDA requirements.

  • Cross-College Magnetics Center

    The center advances the frontiers of magnetic science and technology through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Our center develops strong partnerships with industry, government laboratories, and leading magnetics programs worldwide to serve as a global hub for cutting-edge magnetics research.

  • Center for Signal Processing, Imaging, Reasoning, and Learning

    Conducts fundamental and interdisciplinary applied research in the areas of computational modeling, computer vision, distributed computing, image analysis, machine learning, optimization, and signal processing.


COE Researchers Are Active in Northeastern Research Institutes

  • Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute

    Forging partnerships with experts in industry, government, and academia worldwide, the Institute’s faculty and students develop, protect, and enhance technologies on which the world relies—from mobile devices and “smart” IoT applications to tomorrow’s self-driving cars and delivery drones.

  • George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security

    Fostering collaborative, use-inspired research aimed at expanding the capacity of communities, critical systems, and infrastructure to withstand, respond to, and recover from manmade and natural catastrophes.

  • Institute for Experiential AI

    The true promise of AI lies at the intersection of humans and intelligent machines, helping each achieve what neither could alone and to transform society for the better. Northeastern’s Institute for Experiential AI advances this human-centered approach, enabling us to design, implement, and scale AI to help people reach greater productivity and creativity at work, lead healthier lives, and build stronger communities.

  • Quantum Materials and Sensing Institute

    Developing the next-generation of quantum materials and sensing technology for impactful real-world applications.