The Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO) is the Flemish research and knowledge centre for nature and its sustainable management and use. It is located within the policy area Environment of the Flemish government and is an ‘Intern Verzelfstandigd Agentschap Zonder Rechtspersoonlijkheid’. It is one of the Flemish Scientific Institutions.

INBO conducts research and provides knowledge to all those who prepare, implement or are involved in policy as a stakeholder. With its scientific research, INBO supports all actors of open space within the Flemish government and organisations for nature conservation, forestry, agriculture, hunting and fishing. INBO makes its data available as open data and provides information for international reporting. It is also part of national and European research networks, such as LTER, Alternet and LifeWatch.

Through its Own Capital (EV INBO), INBO carries out projects funded by external resources. The purpose of EV INBO is to complement INBO research where directly allocated public funds are not sufficient for a full and forward-looking research programme. It provides an opportunity to address new research topics that have immediate or medium- to long-term policy relevance.

INBO has about 200 staff members, and its Own Capital about 130.

INBO's current priorities can be found in INBO op weg naar 2030.