Science and research are core activities of the University of Bihać, starting from the mission and vision of the university, through the development strategy, to the conditions for the advancement of teaching staff. Through its mission, the University has committed itself to an internationally recognized quality of scientific work and research in order to take a leading role in generating, transferring and applying knowledge of various scientific fields in the Una-Sana Canton and beyond. In line with that, the vision of the University of Bihać is to become the leading generator of development of Una Sana Canton in all areas of life and work, economy, education, health, culture and sports. In order to achieve the goals of the mission and vision, the University conducts research in the field of natural, technical, health, biotechnical and social sciences, humanities and arts.

In order to ensure the quality and international recognition of scientific research, the University continuously works on improving research resources, which includes the advancement of existing staff and engagement of young staff, procurement of equipment and establishment of domestic and foreign partnerships with research institutions for joint research. The regulations of the University support the advancement of staff through scientific research and participation in scientific conferences, while the access to domestic and international funds for financing scientific research is supported through administrative and consultative support from the Office for Scientific Research and International Cooperation. Procurement of equipment for scientific research is done in accordance with the needs and available funds, but also through various projects initiated by members of the University. The project "Modernization of the University of Bihać" enabled procurement of equipment in the value of EUR 5.000.000, which included the procurement of equipment for scientific research and equipment that enables the transfer of knowledge for the needs of the economy.

The focus of the University's competence and research capacities is defined through the constant challenges which Una Sana Canton and City of Bihać are facing, and these include ecology, tourism, global migrations, digitalization and challenges of the post-industrial society. In support of such research, the University hosts researchers from different disciplines and different countries, such as Nick Tobier from University of Michigan in the academic 2023/24 year and Halima Afi Cassells frome the College for Creative Studies (Detroit) in 2024/2025. Furthermore, the post-industrial research context of the region has been an inspiration for a course Dizajn i Kriza supported by Patterns Lectures award which managed to initiate transformation of the abandoned industrial locations. 

In order to further develop scientific research at the University of Bihać, as well as to remove obstacles encountered by University staff in terms of achieving excellence in research, certain steps have been taken. First, through the University Development Strategy, scientific research and international cooperation were set as strategic goals, with eleven strategic tasks:

1. Digitalization of the University
2. Internationalization of the University
3. Organization of the University
4. University Infrastructure
5. Human Resources
6. Scientific Research and University Visibility
7. Distance Learning
8. Curriculum Innovation
9. Student Standards
10. Institute of the University of Bihać
11. Relationship with the Real Sector

In the territory of the Una-Sana Canton, the Law on Scientific and Research Work of the Una-Sana Canton is applied, according to which funds are planned for the implementation of scientific and research activities, such as gaining access to databases and supporting the organization of scientific conferences. In addition, in an effort to strengthen the international visibility of its research and to enable the mobility of its research staff, the University has adopted an open access policy in cooperation with international experts, thereby securing the University’s membership in the planned Network of Open Research Infrastructures in the Western Balkans (RCC Network of Open Research Infrastructures in the Western Balkans). The University is also a signatory of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Furthermore, the Rulebook on the Categorization of Publications at UNBI has been adopted, which regulates the recognition of publications in terms of the selection of academic staff, the obligation to report on scientific and other works and publications of University employees, as well as the categorization, method of analysis, and reporting at the University of Bihać.