The history of the Institute begins in 1965, when under the leadership of Gennady Mykhailovych Dobrov a team of scientists began to form within the Department of Machine Methods for Processing Historical and Scientific Information Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Since 2015 by resolution NAS Presidium dated 10 July 2015 No. 188 The G. M. Dobrov Center for Research on Scientific and Technical Potential and History of Science of the NAS of Ukraine was renamed into State Institution "Dobrov Institute for Scientific and Technological Potential and Science History Studies of the NAS of Ukraine" (hereinafter referred to as the Institute), and its main areas of activity were clarified. On 27 October 2015, state registration of changes to the Charter of the Institute was carried out.
The Institute conducts theoretical and applied research and development in the field of history, theory and organization of science. The main areas of activity of the Institute are:
- Generalization of historical experience, patterns, trends, methodological and social problems of development of science of Ukraine in the context of development of world science.
- Historical and scientific analysis of the development, experience, state and research of the prospects for the development of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and its role in society at the stage of transformation.
- Development and improvement of organizational, economic and information mechanisms for the formation and effective use of the country's scientific, technological and innovative potential, integration of domestic science into European and world scientific systems.
- Research on factors of transformation of scientific systems of countries with economies in transition.
- Development of scientific, technological and innovative forecasts.
The Institute is managed by the Presidium of the NAS of Ukraine in the person of the Chief Scientific Secretary of the NAS of Ukraine Chief Scientific Secretary of the NAS of Ukraine. The topics of scientific research of the Institute, depending on their problems, are agreed with the bureau of the relevant departments of the NAS of Ukraine and approved by the order of the Presidium of the NAS of Ukraine.
For 20 years, the team was part of various scientific institutions of the NAS of Ukraine, developing the theory of scientific and technical potential, the methodology of problem-oriented assessment and formation of scientific and technical potential, and original forecasting methods.
- From 1969 to 1971 – a division Council for the Study of Productive Forces of Ukraine, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR.
- From 1971 to 1984 – Department of Complex Problems of Science Institute of Cybernetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR.
- From 1984 to 1986 – Center for Research on Scientific and Technical Potential as part of the Council for the Study of the Productive Forces of Ukraine of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
- In 1986, on the basis of the merger of the Center for Research on Scientific and Technical Potential and the Sector for the History of Natural Sciences and Technology of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, the Center for Research on Scientific and Technical Potential and the History of Science of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR was created.
- From 1986 to 1991 – Center for Research on Scientific and Technical Potential and History of Science in the structure of Institute of Superhard Materials of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
In 1989, the Center was named after G. M. Dobrov, the founder of the Ukrainian school of science studies, who made a significant contribution to the development of domestic and world science studies.
Since 1989, the director of the institute is Borys Antonovich Malitsky.
In May 1991, the Center for Research on Scientific and Technical Potential and the History of Science received the status of an independent academic institute (Resolution of the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR No. 128 of 08.05.91), becoming a part of Department of Informatics of the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
In 2014, by the resolution of the Presidium of the NAS of Ukraine dated July 11, 2014, No. 173, the G. M. Dobrov Center for Scientific and Technological Research of the NAS of Ukraine was withdrawn from the Department of Informatics of the NAS of Ukraine and subordinated directly to the Presidium of the NAS of Ukraine.
The Institute performs the functions of a methodological, scientific-organizational, forecasting-analytical and educational-methodological institution that coordinates research in the above-mentioned areas conducted by other scientific institutions and universities of the state, provides them with scientific and methodological assistance in the development of these studies and in the training of scientific personnel.
The Institute works in close contact with ministries, departments, scientific institutions, enterprises, and organizations of Ukraine.
The Institute consists of 1 center, 3 departments, and 1 interdepartmental laboratory.
The Dobrov Institute is a unique interdisciplinary team, which includes representatives of 10 scientific specialties, covering a wide range of fundamental branches of natural sciences, engineering and social sciences.
The Institute regularly holds scientific conferences and is actively engaged in publishing activities.
The Institute implements joint projects with scientific institutions of the European Union, CIS countries, other states and international organizations.
The Institute’s employees are experts in international programs, members of the European Association for Research and Technology, the European Association for Evolutionary Economics, the International Union for Scientometrics and Informatics, European Research and Education Program, members of the editorial boards of international scientific journals "Education and Science" (Bulgaria), "Technological Learning, Innovation and Development" (Switzerland), etc.
Since 2011, the Institute has been the basic organization of the National Contact Point of the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Union for Research and Technological Development in the priority area "Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities"; since 2014 - the National Contact Point of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation "Horizon 2020".