In the field of research, the Gerrit Rietveld Academie's ambition is to equip students with research competences and experiences that will enable them to develop into reflective, engaged artists/designers in society. In addition, research contributes to the development of teaching expertise, the updating of curricula and relevant developments in a changing society.

Rietveld Sandberg Research is in formation. It will bring together two Lectoraten (Critical Inquiry and LASP), research groups and so-called third-cycle research in the field of Materiality, Artificial Intelligence, The City, Critical Inquiry, Journalism, and Urgent Ecologies.