The Community-Based Research Institute (CBRI) is a multidisciplinary research center devoted to reducing risk behaviors and promoting health and wellness across the lifespan. CBRIs applied research approach brings together expert researchers and clinicians with over two decades of experience engaging in meaningful university-community partnerships and program evaluations. Our mission is to promote health for all.

The primary focus of CBRI  research is on the prevention and treatment of substance use and mental health problems. We also conduct state-of-the-art, community-partnered evaluation research focused on health promotion and positive youth development. CBRI emphasizes a biopsychosocial, mixed methods (i.e., both quantitative and qualitative) research approach. The CBRI team works in partnership with communities in order to ensure the developmental, cultural, and linguistic appropriateness of our clinical and evaluation research.

CBRI is housed at Florida International University (FIU), which is the 2nd largest public university in Florida. The Carnegie Foundation has named FIU in two of their top tier classifications, (1) High Research and a Community Engaged University and (2) R1: Doctoral University – Highest Research Activity. FIU considers itself a solutions center for its community and has earned the title of AshokaU Changemaker Campus. The FIU 2015-2020 Strategic Plan notes, “FIU has been at the heart of bringing wellness to our community.”