The research priorities for the East Africa Centre of Excellence are:

• Investigation of coral settlement, recruitment, restoration and associated environmental factors
• Mapping and characterization of coral reefs and associated threats
• Information dissemination on coral reefs and indigenous knowledge

Researchers participate in several national and regional activities and projects relevant to the CRTR program including assessment, monitoring and mapping of coastal habitats and resources in marine parks and reserves; and the development of coastal resource atlas and databases.