The recent Paris climate change agreement has resulted in a consensus between 196 countries on the need for action, including a stated aim to try to limit warming to 1.5 °C. Despite its weaknesses, it will provide the policy basis for climate change action and research within signature countries. Scientific research is highlighted in the agreement as having a key role to play, and higher education institutions will be expected to lead the way in this research. Much of the focus will be on mitigation but the agreement places substantial emphasis on climate change adaptation. The purpose of this article is to discuss what the agreement might mean for climate change adaptation research, and how it might impact upon research agendas in higher education institutions. In considering how the agreement might impact upon different areas of adaptation research, the paper highlights how effective interdisciplinary collaboration and research is going to be needed to support the lofty aims of the Paris agreement. It discusses the challenges of this research approach and how universities might be able to support the Paris agreement.