Research activity taking place at Kazan Federal University covers natural, engineering, and social sciences, economics, and follows Priority Areas Development Strategy of the Russian Federation, Tatarstan and KFU Development Program.

Annually, KFU produces about 450 research projects mostly falling within the scope of natural sciences, i.e. earth science, biology, chemistry, physics and astronomy. 

In recent years, by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the following research fields at KFU have won special recognition as 'Leading Research Schools of Russia':

 History of the research schools of Kazan University: