A Regional Center of Excellence (RCE) is a group of institutions that have drafted joint operating agreements to conduct research in emerging infectious diseases. As of June 2005 there are only eight RCEs in the U.S.: University of Washington; Washington University (St. Louis); University of Chicago; New York State Department of Health; Harvard Medical School; University of Maryland, Baltimore; Duke University; and University of Texas Medical Branch.

The RCEs develop and conduct programs of investigator-directed research, train researchers and other individuals involved in biodefense research, and develop translational research capacity for testing and validation of vaccines and drugs. The RCEs also maintain and make available core facilities and other support to approved investigators from academia and industry, and also provide facilities and scientific support in the event of a national biodefense emergency.