The research activities of the University of Perpignan involve the four following scientific sectors:

 - Science, technologies, health

 - Human Sciences and Humanities

 - Law, Economics, Management

 The link between teaching and research is assured thanks to the participation of researchers and researcher / teachers in the teaching of the research Master’s degrees. This synergy exists also between the research centres and the doctoral school.

 As the second most important scientific research centre in the region, the university assures the necessary link between the scientific centre of Montpellier and the universities of Spanish Catalonia. In parallel with this international dimension, a real political network is in the process of being developed. These current developments allow all research centres to assure for their subjects a wider scientific reach and a greater international renown.

 The co-operative agreements reached with the Universities of Toulouse reinforce Perpignan University’s position as a partner in the Euro-region.

 The creation in 2005 of a Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energies and their use in the domestic environment has brought together physics, chemistry and electronics laboratories. This project, fostered by the University, is working to develop an international dimension in pure and applied research. The acquisition of this prestigious title is the result of previous hard work by teams from the University and the CNRS (Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique) and has resulted in the creation of a Master’s Degree (P&R) in Solar Energy which replaces an IUP diploma in Materials Science and a Masters 2 in General Physics and Chemistry

 In Biology and Environmental Sciences, the support of the CNRS and the IRD has resulted in the three laboratories being evaluated as excellent. The merging of research in geology and marine sedimentology has led to the regrouping of various different teams working together on the marine environment, water and the carbon cycle.

 The other area of activity is the development of a culture of research teamwork in the Faculty of Human Sciences, which currently lacks both the organisational logistics to administrate their laboratories and a tradition of collective research.

 The site and network strategy is taking shape progressively, despite the rudimentary means available, involving contacts with teams in Montpellier, Toulouse, and Catalonia, and also at an international level.

 The creation of SAIC and of the value enhancement service “VAL’UP” in co-operation with Research Management, has increased the incentives for image improvement.