Hubert Kairuki Memorial University understands the significance of research towards contributing to National socio-economic development. Research is one of the core functions of the University towards generation and advancement of knowledge. The results generated provide evidence-based facts, with policy implications, on management, control and prevention of diseases in the country. Apart from disease factors, the university also focuses on health care and social determinants of ill health.

The university is currently in working partnerships with other various universities, and research institutes to counteract major health challenges in Tanzania such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and related micro nutrient deficiency disorders.

At the moment HKMU has been able to acquire productive collaborative research activities with different Institutions inside and outside of Tanzania, with the purpose of addressing health problems and challenges confronting the society:

• Tanzania - Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization (TIRDO),  Ifakara Health Institute(IHI),  Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT)
• North America - Harvard University School of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut University, California State University-Dominquez Hills (CSU-DH), Duke University, University of Utah, University of Denver—Graduate School of Social Work
• Asia - Chinese University of Hong Kong and Guangdong Institute of Microbiology; China National Engineering Research Centre of Juncao Technology—Peoples Republic of China.
• Australia - Global Health Alliances of Western Australia- (GHAWA)