The Historic St. Augustine Research Institute is a collaborative project of Flagler College, the University of Florida and the St. Augustine Foundation. Its purpose is to encourage, coordinate and disseminate active academic research related to the history, archaeology and historical architecture of St. Augustine, Florida, and to apply this research in support of historic preservation in the city.

Research associates from the University of Florida and Flagler College are involved in ongoing scholarly research into St. Augustine's historic heritage and are committed to making the results of that research available both to historic preservation efforts in America's Ancient City and to the interested public.

The Institute maintains links with the many other agencies and organizations in St. Augustine that are committed to the town's history and historic preservation. It offers centralized information and resources not only for St. Augustine's communities, but also for researchers and students not based in St. Augustine.