KU research labs and institutes that collaborate under the TRI umbrella include the Flight Research Lab, the Infrastructure Research Institute, the Intelligent Systems and Automation Laboratory, the Energy Research Center, and the Policy Research Institute.

Flight Research Lab (KU-FRL)
The University of Kansas Flight Research Laboratory (KU-FRL), based in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, is an organization formed in 1959 and incorporated in 1962 to serve the University of Kansas by developing and administering sponsored research in engineering and related interdisciplinary areas. The KU-FRL mission is to conduct basic and applied research to advance the state-of-the-art in aerospace vehicles, ranging from spacecraft and supersonic jets to transport aircraft. The staff conducts research in computational fluid dynamics, fluid physics and turbulence, applied aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, structural mechanics and materials, flight dynamics, and flight testing.

Goals of the KU-FRL are to: conduct fundamental and applied research in aerospace engineering; provide an opportunity for students to focus their education by applying their course work on real engineering research projects; and assist the aircraft and spacecraft industry in applied research.

Infrastructure Research Institute (IRI)
IRI is based in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering and is a KU Center for Research affiliated center. It consists of a multidisciplinary group of infrastructure experts from academia, industry, and government that collaborate on issues related to the evaluation, maintenance, and enhancement of existing infrastructure (bridges, highways, and pavements). IRI delivers infrastructure maintenance and management solutions, and serves as a clearinghouse and resource institute that provides workshops, annual conferences, and newsletters IRI brings together computer and information science, fluid mechanics, materials sciences and engineering, systems engineering and urban studies to address critical needs in the areas of deterioration science, condition assessment, and renewal engineering.

Intelligent Systems and Automation (ISA)
The ISA laboratory, based in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, encompasses programs and projects involved with the application of microprocessors and sensors to advanced electromechanical systems. Major programs in computer integrated manufacturing, industrial innovation and augmented telerobotics are in progress. All involve technology transfer to regional industry through cooperative efforts involving personnel, financial resources and expertise from the laboratory, industry and government.

Energy Research Center (ERC)
ERC carries out research in several topical areas including: energy and the environment, alternative energy, and energy conservation. Kansas has a significant potential contribution to the energy balance through use of its waste biomass and wind and solar power as part of a diverse mix of energy supplies. Value added strategies in the effective utilization of these supplies can contribute to assuring Kansas' economic health. Research, development, and technology transfer efforts conducted at the University of Kansas are important elements toward realizing national and state needs in energy.