The Research Institute of Biological Resources Alexander von Humboldt is a non-profit civil corporation linked to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) . The Institute was created in 1993 to be the investigative arm in biodiversity of the Environmental System (Sina) . Within the framework of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity , ratified by Colombia in 1994, the Humboldt Institute generates the necessary knowledge to evaluate the state of biodiversity in Colombia and to make sustainable decisions about it.

As part of its functions, the Institute is responsible for carrying out scientific research on biodiversity in the continental territory of the Nation, including hydrobiological and genetic resources. Likewise, it coordinates the National Information System on Biodiversity ( SIB Colombia ) and the creation of the national biodiversity inventory.

This mission is key because biodiversity provides essential services for health and development, not only for the particular species with nutritional and medicinal attributes, but also for the ecosystems that, if they maintain their integrity, regulate the climate, water and slow down the dissemination of infectious diseases.

The Constitution Assembly of the Humboldt Institute was held on January 20, 1995 in Villa de Leyva, department of Boyacá. The Constitution Act was signed by 24 founding members that include state entities, universities and non-governmental organizations.