The University of New York Tirana (UNYT) has been dedicated to becoming a leading academic institution in Albania and in the Balkans, by fostering the two fundamental tenets: TEACHING, by advancing exceptional pedagogy and rigorous scholarly standards; and RESEARCH, by enhancing and elevating the standards of scientific research. Central to this commitment is the establishment, in 2019, of the "Institute of European and Balkan Studies" as a pivotal component of the university and one of its four main academic units. Since its creation, the Institute has been steadfast in its mission to uphold and enhance the benchmarks of scientific inquiry, not only within the confines of the institution, but also within the broader national and international academic spheres.

The Institute and its three dynamic and vibrant research centers: the "European Studies Center," the "Balkan Studies Center," and the "Project and Innovation Center", are actively engaged in interdisciplinary research, scholarly events such as conferences and symposiums, publication endeavors, as well as project incubation and innovation initiatives.

Furthermore, the Institute oversees the scientific journal of UNYT, called the "International Journal of Balkan Studies" (IJBS), which aspires to position itself as a premier academic publication, both nationally and regionally.

UNYT proudly aligns itself with "The European Charter for Researchers," affirming its unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of excellence in research and scholarly pursuits.