Centers, Institutes, and Programs

Centers, labs, institutes, and programs within Purdue Agriculture have been developed to fill a particular need. Each brings research faculty and diverse partners together to work in a common area of interest. A comprehensive list of University approved centers and institutes at Purdue is available at the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships

Bioinformatics Core
Facilitates, amplifies, and accelerates biological research and discovery through application of bioinformatics.
Center for Animal Welfare Science (CAWS)
Facilitate the well-being of animals using sound science and ethics to investigate and promote the best animal care and management practices.
Center for Commercial Agriculture (CCA)
Focuses on the economic and management issues facing today’s commercial farms through applied research, management education programs, and enhancement of undergraduate education.
Center for the Environment (C4E)
Facilitates interdisciplinary activities that enhance environmental integrity with enlightened stewardship and innovative monitoring, modeling, and management of natural resources for expanded economic development and improved quality of life.
Center for Environmental and Regulatory Information Systems (CERIS)
Develops, manages, and operates computer-based information systems and databases in subject matter areas relating to environmental concerns and regulatory programs affecting the management or practice of agriculture. http://www.ceris.purdue.edu
Center for Food and Agricultural Business (CAB)
Offers nondegree professional development programs for employees of agricultural businesses, and carries out research and Extension programs on problems of agricultural businesses.
Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability (CFDAS)
Providing data about our food system. Timely reports on trends and emerging topics can guide research on nutrition and plant innovations, and reveal how policy impacts food markets.
Center for Food Safety Engineering (CFSE)
A joint effort between Purdue Agriculture and the USDA Agricultural Research Service to develop new knowledge, technologies, and systems to prevent chemical and microbial contamination of foods.
Center for Global Soundscapes (CGS)
Mission is to use soundscapes to study ecosystem dynamics across a variety of spatial, temporal and functional scales. Studies are global in scope, with an emphasis on the examination of disturbances – climate change, habitat alteration, disease, toxins, wildfire, invasive species and noise – on natural dynamics across all major biomes of Earth. Work also extends to informal STEM learning, citizen science, big data analytics, and environmental sensor and sensor networks.
Center for Global Trade Analysis (GTAP)
The publicly funded, university-based home for GTAP (Global Trade Analysis Project), a global network of researchers and policymakers conducting quantitative analysis of international policy issues. Its purpose is to improve the quality of global economy-wide analysis through education and by developing analytical databases, economic models, and innovative methodologies
Center for Plant Biology
An interdepartmental alliance of faculty who share an interest in basic plant biology research and are committed to enhancing graduate training in plant sciences
Center for Urban & Industrial Pest Management
Further understanding of urban pest problems and promotes their solutions through research and educational programs.
Crop Diagnostics Training & Research Center (DTC)
Provides opportunities for hands-on learning of the art and science of crop problem diagnosis, integrated pest management, and reduced input agriculture.
Digital Agriculture
Digital devices put data from our fields and facilities at our fingertips. Only by harnessing data’s power — and training others to do the same — can it create a sustainable agricultural future. At Purdue University, digital agriculture and data science leverages increasingly innovative technology with our world-renowned know-how to improve agricultural efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
Digital Innovation in Agri-Food Systems Laboratory (DIAL)
At DIAL Ventures we tackle big problems facing the U.S. and the world such as food safety, supply chain shortages, sustainability, and environmental impact. Through innovation we strive to make the lives of all of us in this distributed manufacturing system that we love, increasingly better for years to come. Feed the Future
Innovation Lab for Food Processing and Post-Harvest Handling
Supporting and strengthening the post-harvest segment of the value chain using a market-led approach to overcome constraints that create food losses in targeted Feed the Future (FTF) countries.
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety
Enhancing global agricultural sustainability and resilience, as well as food security. Our applied research leverages collective expertise in food safety, food production, nutrition and international development.
Food Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing Institute (FEMI)
Our mission is to fuel economic growth in the region and beyond by enabling food and beverage companies to ideate, develop, and commercialize novel improved and sustainable products; to provide learning experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship for students in the College of Agriculture; and to contribute to the land-grand research and Extension missions of Purdue University.
Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center (HTIRC)
A collaborative regional research, development, and technology transfer effort between industry, university, private, state, and federal entities to advance tree improvement of central hardwoods for increased forest productivity in hardwood restoration and reforestation programs.
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program (IISGCP)
Fosters the creation and stewardship of an enhanced and sustainable environment and economy along southern Lake Michigan and in the Great Lakes region through research, education, and outreach.
Indiana Center for New Crops & Plant Products
Identifies, adapts, and commercializes new crops for Indiana growers and processors; creates new plant-based industries based on new crop products; and serves as a source of information for new crops.
Indiana Water Resources Research Center (IWRRC)
Coordinates the resources of Indiana’s universities, state agencies, and industries to resolve problems associated with water resources management, use, and preservation of quality.
Institute for Digital Forestry
The Institute for Digital Forestry at Purdue University is leveraging digital technology and multidisciplinary expertise to measure, monitor and manage urban and rural forests to maximize social, economic and ecological benefits.
Institute for Plant Sciences
Our mission is to propel the Purdue plant sciences program to a global leadership position by delivering the innovation, technology, and human capacity necessary to help farming operations of all sizes produce food, fuel, and fiber more efficiently.
International Food Technology Center (IFTC)
A food processing-based center designed to link farmers to markets. The Center, housed at Purdue University's Department of Food Science, is geared to meet the increasing demand for food and economic growth in agriculturally-based developing economies.
Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering (LORRE)
The Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering carries out fundamental research and educates students in the transformation of renewable resources and agricultural commodities into value-added products, and in the purification of proteins and natural products.
Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing (LARS)
A multidisciplinary research laboratory internationally known for research efforts relating to remote sensing and geographic information systems.
Lilly Greenhouses and Plant Growth Facility
The Lilly Greenhouses and Plant Growth Facility, located south of Lilly Hall of Life Science, serve as the primary greenhouse space available to the departments of Botany and Plant Pathology and Agronomy.
Maha Fluid Power Research Center
Maha Fluid Power Research Center hosts cutting-edge research in hydraulics and fluid power. From computer modeling of pumps and motors, to experimental verification on real-world equipment, every aspect of fluid power and motion control is explored at Maha.
Midwestern Regional Climate Center (MRCC)
Providing high-quality climate data, tools, interactive maps, and customized services for the Midwest and the nation since 1982. The Midwestern Regional Climate Center is a partnership with the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and Purdue University.
National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS)
NAPIS is the database for Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey and related pest detection surveys. 6.04 million records summarize survey results for 6,453 insects, pathogens, weeds, mollusks and biological control organisms. Pest detection survey observations recorded in NAPIS emphasize exotic pests that may impact exports of U.S. agricultural products or damage agricultural production and natural resources.
National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (NPIRS)
NPIRS subscribers are provided information to assist in reviewing and registering pesticides and developing marketing strategies based on currently registered products and pending registrations available through our Federal and State Agency partners.
National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN)
The National Plant Diagnostic Network is a consortium of diagnostic labs in all US states and territories protecting national plant health with a distributed ability to provide timely quality diagnostics of plant pests and pathogens.
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD)
NCRCRD’s work links the research and educational outreach capacity of our region’s 34 land-grant universities with our region’s communities, local decision-makers, entrepreneurs, families, farmers, and ranchers to help address a wide range of development issues unique to our region.
Open Ag Technology and Systems Center (OATS)
Helping to bring open-source culture to agriculture is the mission and focus of the OATS Center at Purdue University.
Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI)
Global security and prosperity need action. Through the Purdue Applied Research Institute, the strengths in science and engineering of this renowned university will serve the world.
Purdue Climate Change Research Center (PCCRC)
Focuses on climate change, its impacts, and mitigation from a multidisciplinary perspective. Encourages the application of evidence-based knowledge to address fundamental questions related to the Earth’s changing climate system.
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Purdue Entomological Research Collection (PERC)
Located in the east basement of Smith Hall, the PERC is an integral part of the Department of Entomology at Purdue. Specimens housed in the collection are the basis for research in systematic entomology at Purdue and by specialists worldwide. The PERC also serves as a reference to facilitate the accurate and timely identification of insects for extension and teaching needs.
Purdue Institute for Family Business (PIFB)
PIFB’s aim is to enhance the knowledge of family business owners, successors, employees, advisors, and educators to improve family functioning and business success.
Purdue Initiative for Family Business (PIFB)
The Purdue Initiative for Family Business provides multi-generational family businesses with research-based business management resources aimed at improving personal leadership performance and driving operational growth. Our ambition is to prepare family business owners, managers, and stakeholders (including non-owner spouses and future owners) to be effective stewards of their family enterprises.
Soybean Center
The mission of the Purdue Soybean Center is to address emerging global challenges throughout the soybean value chain using innovative multidisciplinary approaches with collaboration between industry, government, non-profits, and academic institutions.
State Utility Forecasting Group (SUFG)
The State Utility Forecasting Group (SUFG) has been assisting the State of Indiana for over 30 years through its forecasts of electricity consumption, prices, and resource requirements. SUFG also performs analyses of a number of issues facing the energy industries.
Tropical Hardwood Tree Improvement & Regeneration Center (HTIRC)
A collaborative research and extension center for tropical tree breeding and silviculture.
Turfgrass Science Program
The clearinghouse for turfgrass research, education, and Extension activities conducted on campus to meet the educational and research needs of the turfgrass industry in Indiana.
Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research
The Whistler Center works in partnership with companies to develop improved uses of carbohydrates. The Center provides unique, essential, industrially relevant research, analytical services, and educational programs.