The University of Houston's research clusters are multidisciplinary, challenge-based groups of investigators that include and draw on the strengths of existing research centers, institutes and laboratories within multiple academic departments and colleges.

The university has adopted the concept of research clusters to take advantage of the interrelationship of research areas and capitalize on six areas in which the university and region have strategic advantages.

Clusters are faculty-driven, multilevel frameworks that connect researchers with expertise in various disciplines in a multicampus system with industry partners and funding agencies. They provide an inclusive foundation for collective scholarly activity and foster the sharing of ideas.

Each cluster is to develop a strategic plan, which will include cluster hiring and investment in core facilities that will further enliven the research enterprise and, ultimately, enrich the student experience.

The overarching goal of clusters and the cluster hiring strategy is to develop a critical mass of skills within the UH System for national leadership in defined areas of strategic growth.