It was established in 1984, in the village of Oldendorf/Luhe, Germany by Inter-Research, a scientific publishing organisation founded in 1979 by Professor Otto Kinne.
[1] The aims of the institute are to facilitate the exchange of information between marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecologists, to promote environmental research, to focus the attention of scientists, politicians and the general public on important ecological issues and to find the right balance between the improvement of human society and the protection of nature.
The ECI Prize is awarded to an ecologist for outstanding and sustained scientific achievement.
The IRPE (International Recognition of Professional Excellence) prize is awarded to a young ecologist who has published independent and original or challenging research representing an important scientific breakthrough.
The institute is closely associated with the Otto Kinne Foundation, which supports young scientists by the granting of fellowships.