The school is mandated to conduct research whose aim is to: 

1. Inform development or review of policy 
2. Provide evidence based solution to existing problems 
3. Enhance innovation 
4. Advance epistemology and freedom

The research function span multiple thematic areas, namely:

• Public service transformation and service delivery
• Economic planning and development
• Investment for Wealth creation (in agriculture, manufacturing/ industrialization, trade)
• Industrialization – (in agriculture, fishing, mining) 
• Local/ decentralized government
• Public enterprise development and management
• Foreign policy and international engagements
• National and regional security
• Social development
• Agriculture and food security
• Environmental governance and climate change