The Institute of Advanced Study in Science & Technology (IASST) was set up in 1979 by the Assam Science Society with the prime objective of setting up a premier research establishment in the NE region to deal with problems of the north east in particular and the country in general. The Institute was inaugurated by the Nobel Laureate Prof. Dorothy Hodgkin on 3rd November 1979. The Assam Science Society provided the necessary facilities at the beginning and The Government of Assam provided a lump sum annual grant-in-aid to the Institute since 1991-92 to carry out research in frontier areas of science & technology.