The Center for the Understanding of Origins is an interdisciplinary Center at Kansas State University established in the year 2004. The center aims to foster bold and scholarly interdisciplinary research addressing issues of origins, especially the origin of the physical Universe, of the Earth, of Life, of intelligence, and of language.

The Center comprises permanent faculty from the departments of Biology, English, Entomology, History, Geology, Philosophy, and Physics. The Center's faculty are involved in developing general education courses and honors seminars for undergraduates, and a graduate certificate program in the study of origins. The Center sponsors both academic and public speakers, with the aim of transforming the discussion of important origins subjects such as evolution from one of hostile arguments between "experts" and "special interests" to informed debate among citizens.

The Center’s faculty conduct research on the theme of Origins from the perspectives of both humanists and scientists. The Center faculty teach courses of topical interest to a wide sector of K-State’s student body and foster interdisciplinary work across the University through colloquia and seminars. The faculty also engage in public outreach by speaking before non-academic audiences and provide training for K-12 teachers.