The institute was established in 1970 as the Institute for Animal Nutrition Research, taking over the role of the Institute of Zootechnical Research (HCM 565/1970). In 1981, its scope was expanded by introducing the field of animal biology and it was renamed the Institute of Animal Biology and Nutrition (Decree 170/1981). Since 2005, it has operated as a national institute (under Government Decision 1882/2005), under the name National Research and Development Institute for Animal Biology and Nutrition (INCDBNA-IBNA). Its status as a national institute was reconfirmed following the evaluations of 2007–2008, 2011–2012, and 2014–2019, when the institute received the highest scores within the agricultural research system.

The institute’s organizational structure comprises the Research Department, with four laboratories (Animal Biology; Physiology of Nutrition; Feed Quality; Animal Nutrition and Biotechnologies), and the Development Department, with two units (the Pilot Plant for zoofort premixes and special compound feeds; the Experimental Agro-Zootechnical Biobase — AnimBio). These provide the framework for research activities and the technology transfer of their results, with operations supported by auxiliary departments (Human Resources; Administration; Finance & Accounting, etc.).