Florida’s numerous not-for-profit research institutes and laboratories contribute greatly to the state’s R&D diversity. Many are known for their unique expertise and capabilities, while others thrive in the cross-disciplinary R&D environment that defines today’s cutting-edge science:

• Applied Research Center (ARC) serves as an interface between FIU and the government and commercial sectors. With world-class expertise in energy, defense and environmental and information technologies, ARC is a valuable enabler of research programs that result in real world solutions.
• Burnham Institute for Molecular Researchselected Orlando to become its East Coast R&D hub for diabetes, cancer and degenerative diseases research. Burnham will be located near the campus of UCF’s medical school and work with many of the surrounding healthcare centers and hospitals.
• H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute is a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center that focuses on early stage translational research and has conducted hundreds of clinical trials.
• Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is a research organization dedicated to the study of the world’s oceans with particular expertise in biomedical marine research, ocean engineering, marine science and aquaculture.
• Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an internationally recognized federal-state-county partnership located at the University of Florida (UF/IFAS). IFAS’s R&D facilities network and research programs cover more than 30 crop areas, and its scientists have over 250 inventions and cultivars and 100+ patents to their credit.
• Institute for Human Machine Cognition (IHMC) designs systems that extend human capabilities through technology and science.
• Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer Center and Research Institute at USF which, once completed, will be the world’s largest freestanding Alzheimer’s research institute, hosting 120 researchers.
• The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville is home to 10 laboratories that allow scientists to investigate neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and the first Mayo building devoted primarily to cancer research.
• Max Planck Institute of Bio-imaging  is new institute of the estemeed Max Planck Society, a non-profit German research organization. It will be an important research center that will unite advanced optical microscopy, magnetic resonance and imaging sciences. The technology will allow researchers to study the structure, dynamics and function of molecules and tissues.
• Miami Institute for Human Genomics was established at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine to discover the genetic influences on human health and apply this knowledge to the practice of medicine through improved diagnostics, treatments, and medications, thus translating the unprecedented scientific advance of the "Human Genome Project" into information that can benefit patients directly.
• NASA’s Kennedy Space Center conducts R&D activities related to launch and mission needs. At the Space Life Sciences Lab, for example, research includes groundbreaking biology experiments, the development of life support systems for space travel, and studying microbial contamination related to planetary exploration, as well as operating many of NASA’s analytical laboratories.
• National Center of Excellence for Simulation & Training is a partnership among the nation’s leading military simulation operations for R&D and support of training systems for all branches of the armed forces, the US Department of Defense and other public and private organizations.
• The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) is the largest and highest-powered magnet laboratory in the world. It is one of the premier facilities for research in physics, biology, chemistry, geo- and biochemistry, materials science, and engineering.
• Roskamp Institute  is devoted to understanding causes and finding cures for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and addictions such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
• Scripps Florida is a state-of-the-art biomedical research institute where researchers focus on basic biomedical science, drug discovery, and the application of the latest research technology to the drug discovery process.
• SRI International opened a R&D facility in St. Petersburg where it works closely with the nearby Center for Ocean Technology and College of Marine Science at USF to commercialize products for port security and environmental science.
• Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies was founded in 1988. Its mission is to pursue innovative research that leads to the understanding and treatment of medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, pain, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and more led it to announce its East Coast expansion to Port St. Lucie, where it plans to collaborate closely with the scientists at Florida Atlantic University and other local institutions.
• Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institutein Florida will be home to scientists who will study a variety of diseases that threaten human health, including AIDS, West Nile virus and monkeypox.