FIND was launched at the 56th World Health Assembly in 2003 in response to the critical need for innovative and affordable diagnostic tests for diseases in low- and middle-income countries.

Alongside this, FIND works on diagnostic connectivity, antimicrobial resistance, acute febrile illness,[4] and outbreak preparedness.

[7] In 2020, FIND became a co-convener of the Diagnostics Pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

[citation needed] Together with partners FIND has developed and made available online courses and training packages[17] for healthcare workers on COVID-19 testing.

Members of the Board of Directors include Ilona Kickbusch, George F. Gao, David L. Heymann, Shobana Kamineni and Sheila Tlou.