JIHIR supports heavy-ion research at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility. The Joint Institute houses an intellectual center in the field of heavy ion research, offering workshops, support for meetings and conferences, and physical accommodations to long- and short-term visiting scientists conducting research related to the Holifield facility in cooperation with scientists from The University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. JIHIR operates under an agreement between The University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Vanderbilt University, fulfilling goals of mutual benefit to sponsors and participants.

Full or partial support is provided to approximately 60 guests each year. Guests conduct research in nuclear structure theory as part of the experimental program at the HRIBF; participate in cooperative experimental research at the HRIBF; help plan the experimental program at the HRIBF and other radioactive ion-beam accelerator facilities around the world; and work with the HRIBF, university, and UNIRIB research teams to upgrade, design, and construct complementary instrumentation housed in the accelerator facility.