Oriented by the demands of social and economic developments in Hunan Province and China, HNUST carries out scientific research and social services comprehensively. So far, it has established 29 key laboratories (engineering centers) of provincial or ministerial level, cooperative demonstration bases in universities and colleges, and research bases for social science, 58 scientific research institutes (centers). Moreover, it has undertaken over 420 national projects including “863 Program”, “973 Program”, National Key Technology R&D Program, Defense Basic Research Program, National Natural Science Fund Program and National Social Science Fund Program, together with over 3100 research programs above provincial level. More than 200 national or provincial and ministerial Scientific Research Awards have been granted, among which 3 are the second prize of National Scientific and Technological Progress, and 4 are Outstanding Achievement Award in Humanities and Social Science Research in Universities and Colleges. Over 400 state granted patents and software patents have been applied and obtained, over 70 new technologies promoted, and 270 academic monographs (textbooks) published. Journal of Hunan University of Science and Technology, both Natural Science Edition and Social Science Edition, has been selected into A Guide to The core Journals of China, and Social Science Edition has been selected into CSSCI, thus becoming a dual core journal. 

　　In order to satisfy the needs of national and social development, HNUST has made significant breakthroughs in such fields as marine mineral resources exploration, ecological restoration of mines polluted by heavy metals, key technologies and application of mine ventilation equipment, Marxism theory research and industrial economics research, while maintaining the traditional advantage in mining engineering research and education research. Moreover, HNUST has an oceanic exploration equipment laboratory with deep sea 120Mpa pressure test house and a creative team. The devices developed by them have been applied in the Jiaolong DSV and Scientific research ship Dayang No. 1. Besides, the research into basic theory of formation of shale gas in Hunan and key technologies of shale gas exploration and development has preliminarily determined the favorable exploration area of shale gas in Hunan, and has entered The National 12th Five-year Energy Development Plan, The 12th Five-year Plan of Shale Gas and The New Energy Industry Revitalization Plan in Hunan Province (2010-2020).