The centre for young men's studies will conduct long-term research into violence by and against young men in Ulster.
Ken Harland, co-director of the centre, said: "In our post-conflict society, there isn't anything to support young men in the move from violence to peace. Violence was a major part of daily life and the reality is that it hasn't gone away, because of paramilitary attacks on young people.
It doesn't feel like peace to them, so we need to give them advice and information on skills and positive role models."
Findings from the centre's studies will be used to develop training and approaches to help young men in Ulster.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has provided 51,000 over two years for the centre, which has also received 17,500 from Northern Ireland's Peace II funding programme.
The centre will be recruiting two young men from Youth Action Northern Ireland to work as researchers in January.
An adult researcher is to be hired by the centre to complete an audit of young men in Northern Ireland.
