CBS was established in 1904 as a collection of living fungi and algae at the Eleventh International Botanical Congress in Vienna.
Since 2002 Pedro Willem Crous has been director of CBS as the successor of Dirk van der Mei.
The institute also acts as a centre of expertise for questions related to fungi, yeasts and bacteria from scientists, business, government and the public.
The Institute carries out identifications of microorganisms for third parties and advises on problems caused by fungi and yeasts.
The institute holds the library of the Dutch Mycological Society and members can consult and borrow books.