CSIR research centres are areas where research and technology in specific areas has been consolidated and developed into deep, world-class capabilities to support multiple areas of application. These research centres are linked to clusters where the relevant competences are most established, but capabilities are deployed across all areas where they are required.

CSIR research centres focus on polymers, composites and nano; synthetic biology and health science; mechatronics, sensor science and mobile autonomous systems; photonics; information security; energy; water resource management; emerging digital technologies and integrated cyber infrastructure.