The Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic” originated from The Institute for Ecology and Biogeography and The Institute for Developmental Physiology, Genetics and Selection which were founded in 1947, by The Serbian Academy of Sciences. The Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic” is the largest and most complete research institution for biological sciences in Serbia. The Institute is organized on the basis of research teams working within departments and laboratories. The researches in the Institute are primarily focused on fundamental studies in biology and most of biological disciplines are included in current research projects: biochemistry, molecular biology, cytology, animal physiology, plant physiology, neurobiology, immunology, genetics, ecology, evolutionary biology, taxonomy, biogeography and environmental protection. The main source of funding is national (Ministry of Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia).

Besides its scientific activities, the Institute is continually engaged in education (theoretical teaching and training at undergraduate and graduate courses, supervision of Ph.D., M.Sc. and B.S. theses).

The Institute has Farm for Experimental Animals (a capacity of about 1.000 animals) and a greenhouse (area of about 70m2).

The Institute has established cooperation with related institutions in Serbia (research institutes, faculties, The Serbian Academy of Science and Arts). Currently, Institute cooperates with European Foundation for studies of Diabetes (Sweden), FP7 Project (cooperation with Holland, Spain, France, Greece) and Academic Exchange Programs of Belgrade University (Greece, USA). The Institute has good cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.