The focus of research carried out at CIPS is the study of plasma, hot ionized gas, such as found in the stars, in space, and in lightning storms. It is used for applications as diverse as fluorescent lighting and microchip fabrication.

Plasma physics has broadened considerably from its original domain. It includes not only the study of ionized gases, but also the study of strongly coupled systems, nonneutral plasmas, dusty plasmas, and charged particle beams. Plasma research has long been applied to space, astrophysical, and fusion plasmas, but in addition is now applied to semiconductor processing, intense particle beams, and high-definition video display. Plasma physics is important in both naturally occurring systems as well as in the laboratory.

Because of the broad scope of plasma physics, members have links to many other units at the University of Colorado. These units include the Departments of Physics, Astrophysical and Planetary Science, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. Other institutes, such as the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) and JILA, are represented as well. In addition, CIPS reaches outside the University with affiliates from government labs, such at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the High Altitude Observatory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), and the Space Environment Labs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and from several local research companies, such as Lodestar Corporation, Tech-X Corporation, Plasmelt Glass Technologies, and Science Applications International Corporation.

The Center for Integrated Plasma Studies supports communication and exchange of ideas in plasma physics. It does so through its seminar series, which covers all aspects of plasma physics. In addition, CIPS provides research opportunities for students and all others interested in this field.