Current research at Old Dominion University's Coastal Engineering Institute includes study of ocean surface waves and their interactions with coastal sediments and structures, dynamics of stratified flows in ocean and estuarine environment, and the impact of sea-level rise on coastal processes.

The Plasma Engineering & Medicine Institute (PEMI) is a research facility focused on conducting fundamental and applied investigations of low temperature plasmas and their applications in biology and medicine. It offers a state-of-the-art facility and a vibrant academic environment where faculty, graduate and undergraduate students engage together in advanced research encompassing fundamental and applied research aspects in the field of plasma science and its applications.

The Sustainable Development Institute promotes and provides engineering, ecological, environmental and economic assistance to local, regional and national governmental agencies, as well as international organizations and businesses. The institute actively participates in conducting waste minimization and pollution prevention assistance to local businesses.

The Transportation Research Institute (TRI) in the ODU Civil and Environmental Engineering Department is focused on addressing critical issues in the surface transportation system.

The focus of the Vision Laboratory is to develop new algorithms and architectures for real-time applications in the areas of signal processing, image processing, pattern recognition, artificial neural networks and biomimetic object-vision recognition.

The Virginia Institute of Photovoltaics (VIPV) exemplifies Old Dominion University's leadership role in the field of solar energy research. The scope of its mission extends from the basics of the fundamental science of the materials and devices, through the fabrication processes and balance of systems, all the way to the knowledge and understanding of PV systems and complementary environmental policy and PV business development.