On December 26, 2012, the Ministry of Science and Technology held a certificate awarding ceremony for the International Science and Technology Cooperation Base in Beijing. The International Coal Research Center for Coal Clean Utilization, which relies on the State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, has been judged as the third batch of international joint research centers by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The International Joint Research Center for Coal Clean Utilization was jointly established by Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Curtin University of Australia, West Virginia University and the University of Utah. Founded in 1867, West Virginia University is the largest university in West Virginia. There are 15 colleges, among which engineering (especially in energy-related fields) and health sciences are the most recognized, and the Carnegie Foundation is rated as one of the schools with outstanding teaching capabilities. In 2011, Huazhong University of Science and Technology and West Virginia University signed the China-US Clean Energy Joint Research Center Clean Coal Technology Alliance Agreement for the Chinese and American supporting units. The University of Utah was founded in 1850 and is one of the famous public universities in the United States. Strong in scientific research, ranked top 50 in the National Science Research Universities in 2009. Chemical Engineering is one of the university's dominant disciplines and enjoys a high international reputation. In 2009, the State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion at Huazhong University of Science and Technology signed a cooperation agreement with the Institute of Clean and Safe Energy at the University of Utah.

Based on China's national conditions, the Coal Clean Utilization International Joint Research Center focuses on the scientific research of free exploration and pursuit of excellence in the two directions of low-carbon utilization of fossil energy and efficient conversion of low-carbon energy. In the direction of low-carbon utilization of fossil energy, it mainly consolidates and seizes the commanding heights in the research and industrial transformation of key technologies such as efficient combustion and conversion, deep joint removal of pollutants, carbon capture and storage. In the direction of efficient conversion of low-carbon energy, it has achieved breakthroughs in energy high-quality cascade utilization, energy materials, new energy and system integration, and has reached the international leading level. Forming a center for international research, talent development, technological innovation and academic exchange of low-carbon energy. In 2014, the International Joint Research Center for Coal Clean Utilization passed the acceptance assessment organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology with excellent results.