CNR seeks to promote and improve research activities for the scientific, economic, technological and social development of Italy. The Council’s activities are divided into scientific and technological research, which include biotechnology, judicial and socio-economic sciences, medicine, communications, the environment, advanced systems of production, classical studies and the arts.

In 1945, the National Research Council was transformed into a public body, and ever since has mainly carried out training and research coordination activities in all scientific and technological sectors. CNR also works with European cooperation and integration, and carries out programmes of research training in PhD courses, as well as advanced postgraduate courses. The Research Council manages the optimisation, development and technological transfer of the results of its research. Upon request, it also offers support to public authorities, and may provide third parties with private law services.

The completion of CNR’s reorganisation in 2002 led to the creation of 107 institutes in Italy, including 45 situated in the middle of Italy, 31 in the north and 31 in the south of Italy. The merger of two CNR’s institutes led to the establishment of the Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine (INMM), which is subdivided into the units of Neurobiology, Molecular Medicine, and Genetics and Molecular Physiopathology. The research of CNR is based on the studies of functionality at cellular and molecular levels, with the main emphasis on the nervous system of the human body and cancerogenesis. Additional studies on the mechanisms of appearance, prevention and therapy of human pathology, from the genetic-molecular level to the clinic, are performed as well.