Priority research centers should be among UiA's flagship for research efforts of national and international standard, and are prioritized by UiA based on already achieved results and ambitions for further development.
The centers should have national and international ambitions, and should work according to the university's strategy. The allocation also took into account external funding and gender balance. The status entails funding of NOK 10 million over 5 years. The centers also receive two additional recruitment positions and funds for infrastructure.
Several research communities are aiming for national prestige schemes: Centre for Research-Driven Innovation (SFI), Center for Excellent Teaching (SFU), and Centre for Excellent Research (SFF).
As of 2024, UiA has one such centre: SFI CreaTeME. Centre for Excellence in Creative Use of Technologies in Music Education.
Previously, these centers have had national status:
SFI Offshore Mechatronics. Agder's first research-driven innovation center. Develops offshore technology in collaboration with national and international industry. MatRIC - a center for excellent education. National and international partners collaborate with MatRIC to develop new methods for learning and teaching in mathematics.