The Confucius Institute at the University of Kansas (CIKU) is a cooperative project of the University of Kansas, the The Office of Chinese Language Council International of the Chinese Ministry of Education, and Huazhong Normal University. Established in 2006, the Confucius Institute at the University of Kansas is part of an international network of Confucius Institutes dedicated to "enhancing the understanding of the Chinese language and culture" around the world. Drawing on the extensive resources for the study of China at the University of Kansas, the CIKU will serve the people of Kansas, the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area, and the larger Great Plains region with high quality public programming.

The Confucius Institute at the University of Kansas reports to the Chancellor of the University of Kansas. The CIKU Advisory Board advises the Chancellor in general matters of development, programming, curriculum and instruction, and strategic planning related to the Confucius Institute. The general management and operations of the Confucius Institute of the University of Kansas are the responsibility of the Executive Director. The CIKU Executive Committee, which includes representatives of units at the University of Kansas involved in international affairs and East Asian studies, advises the Executive Director on matters of instruction, programming, curriculum, and cooperative relationships related to the Confucius Institute.