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

  • AI Institute for Future Edge Networks and Distributed Intelligence (AI-EDGE)

    Designated by the National Science Foundation as an NSF AI Institute, AI-EDGE leverages the synergies between networking and AI to design future generations of wireless edge networks.

  • security chip abstract Center for Hardware and Embedded Systems Security and Trust (CHEST)

    Funded by the National Science Foundation as an Industry-University Cooperative Research Center, CHEST will coordinate university-based research with the needs of industry and government partners to advance knowledge of security, assurance, and trust for electronic hardware and embedded systems.

  • Center for Pandemic Insights

    Funded by the National Science Foundation as a Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention Center, CPI aims to harness new technologies and develop sensing to detect, investigate, and ultimately prevent pandemics at their source.


University Research Institutes and Centers


COE Researchers Are Active in Northeastern Research Institutes

  • binary code Institute of Information Assurance

    Protecting the integrity and security of information and reducing the vulnerability of hardware and software systems to attacks.

  • 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.

  • 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.