It is the largest Croatian research institute in the fields of the natural sciences and technology.

The name of the institute, which honours the scientist Ruđer Bošković, was put forth by one of its founders, physicist Ivan Supek.

Within Croatia, RBI is a national institution dedicated to research, higher education and provision of support to the academic community, to state and local governments and to technology-based industry.

Worldwide, RBI collaborates with many research institutions and universities upholding the same values and vision.

Approximately 75% of the institute's funding is provided by the Government of Croatia, through the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports.