The Institute for Advanced Studies is especially designed to foster, to coordinate, to manage, to ensure excellence in research at the University and to serve as a catalyst for creativity, innovation and inter-University collaboration. The Graduate School is in fact responsible for all graduate programs. Research at USJ is conducted mainly in research centers to which all members of the faculty are assigned. The following research centers have been created: 

CENTER FOR GLOBAL & STRATEGIC STUDIES (CGSS)
Established in 2008 this center is responsible for researching the main impacts of the globalization process in the region focusing in social change.

CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON ECONOMIC & CULTURAL RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND THE PORTUGUESE SPEAKING COUNTRIES (CHIPOR)
Created in 2008 and gathering several Portuguese-speaking countries researchers, the center aims to research China-Portuguese speaking countries economic, politic, and cultural relations.

CENTER FOR HISTORY AND HERITAGE STUDIES (CHERISH)
Opened in 2008, the center merges history and heritage sciences in an interdisciplinary research program cored on cultural diversity in Asia.

CENTER FOR AFRICAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (CARDS)
Inaugurated in May 2009, the center gathers several African researchers aiming to research China-Africa relations in the framework of new development patterns.

CENTER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
Created in 2009, the center focus on counseling and psychotherapy research and practices.

ARTS RESEARCH CENTER FOR HUMAN EXPRESSION (ARCHE)
This center was created in 2009 to develop programs in music, arts, theatre and human expression as catalysts for the development of primary and secondary schools in Macau, as well as for original research on Western-Eastern musicology. More on ARCHE blog.

CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES
This center was created at the en d of 2009 to enhance theoretical and applied research in leading fields of heaths sciences.

CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Inaugurated also at the end of 2009, this center aims to bridge sciences and technology applied to environmental changes, research and management.

SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTER
Inaugurated in February 2009, this center is focused on developing the learning of science in the schools of  Macau.

In addition, other centers have been created to support and enrich the academic program:

Professional & Resource Centres

Center for Languages & Professional Development (CLPD)

St. Joseph Center for Christian Studies

The Russian Center

USJ Martial Arts Center