Institute of Animal Science (IAS) is a fundamental scientific institution in the field of animal farming founded by Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic (MoA). The Institute is a public research institution, managed by the director, the Scientific board and the Board of trustees.
Since its foundation in 1951 its activities have been aimed at biological and biotechnological principles of animal husbandry, animal genetics and breeding, reproduction, nutrition, quality of animal products, ethology, farming technology, herd management and production economics. 

 The IAS has close contacts with universities, partner research institutes of MoA and Academy of Sciences of the CR, breeders associations and with the agricultural community. It provides expert, advisory and information assistance, amendments of methodical instructions and legislative regulations for MoA and other state authorities.
It presides over the Scientific Committee for Animal Nutrition which performs within the government Food safety strategy. It takes part in the education of university and PhD students.

The IAS pursues international cooperation of a high standard and is in permanent contacts with world knowledge in all areas of its theoretical and practical specialization. It is reflected in gradual changes in methods of scientific work. Molecular techniques have become the priority without which contemporary research on biological fundamentals of animal production cannot exist. 

Charged by MoA, it represents the Czech Republic in the European Association for Animal Production and also in cooperation with the FAO, in the program of conservation genetic resources of farm animals.