Research at Universitas Trisakti can be categorized into internal research funded by Universitas Trisakti and external research funded by grants from outside of the University.

1. External research in general consists of government-funded research, particularly from the Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as applied research sponsored by government agencies such as the Ministry of Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, various other Ministries, Pertamina, as well as international donors, such as WHO.
2. Internal research includes:
   • Faculty Excellence Research (PUF), characterized by single disciplined approaches
   • University-level research managed by multi- or interdisciplinary research institutes, which include:
   • Early Career Research (PDP)
   • International Collaborative Research (PKSLN)
   • Patent Potential Innovation Research (PIPP)
   • Research in Study Centers (PPS)

The funding is expected to be a stimulus for lecturers at Universitas Trisakti to build and improve their research track record. A good track record of research contributes directly to improving the academic tenure of the researchers, as well as increasing the opportunities for Universitas Trisakti researchers to participate in national competitive research grants and decentralization grants organized by the Ministry of Education and Culture/BRIN. In addition, a good research track record is often needed to establish partnerships with various national and international institutions.

The implementation of internal research refers to the National Research Quality Standard, which is then translated into Trisakti University Research Quality Standards. For this reason, guidelines for research activities and other related guidelines have been prepared. In general, this guideline is a revision of the previously established 2010 Research Guidelines. Revisions were made in accordance with the growing need to particularly achieve targets of various research fields. The basic highlight of this revision is that the topic of every research proposal must contribute to the 2017-2045 National Research Master Plan (NRMP), accommodated in the Universitas Trisakti Research Road Map (RMP), which contains 4 (four) research foci: Green Energy, Green Urban Environment, Green Society, and Green Healthy Life (as listed in the Universitas Trisakti Research Master Plan).

To ensure the quality of research, a lecturer is not allowed to become the chairman of 2 (two) or more research titles within the same fiscal year (or academic year). Preparation of research proposals is carried out within a particular time frame, as assigned by the Research Institute, and incoming proposals are first reviewed by the Research and Community Service Council at the Faculty level (DRPMF) before being officially sent and coordinated to the Research Institute. The proposals would further be reviewed by the University-level DRPM to obtain funding approval. Every researcher who receives funding needs to complete a Research Contract to obtain a mutual agreement regarding the rights and obligations of each party, namely between the researcher and the Research Institute as the manager of research activities at Universitas Trisakti.

Study programs and faculties have the autonomy to carry out the substantive selection process and decide on the proposals to be processed further for funding but must integrate selection, monitoring, and evaluation processes according to the quality standard. Monitoring and evaluation (monev) by competent reviewers are needed in a way that research quality can be accounted for and aligns with National Research Standards.

Researchers (be they chairs or members) who cannot complete research activities according to the planned proposal by the end of the academic year are not allowed to submit new research proposals, either as chairperson or research member in the following academic year. On the other hand, the Final Research Report and the best research outputs have the opportunity to receive awards at the Universitas Trisakti Anniversary event. This award is expected to be a stimulus to improve the research performance of lecturers.

Lecturers and students can conduct a joint research activity according to the lecturer’s research road map which refers to the Universitas Trisakti and faculty research road maps. Research done by lecturers or students that is in accordance with the research roadmap can be evaluated, monitored, and the results can be used to increase the relevance of research and scientific development of study programs.