Tsinghua University established the Center for Advanced Study in June, 1997, and renamed it as Institute for Advanced Study in April, 2009.

Modeled after Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study, albeit in a university setting, the Institute's mission is to help elevate Tsinghua University to be one of the world's foremost educational institutions of advanced learning in the 21st century, and to help establish a tradition of academic excellence in scientific research in China. The Institute is currently engaged in theoretical studies in physics, theoretical computer science, mathematics and theoretical biology. Specifically, the Center will be devoted to: strengthening basic research capabilities at Tsinghua University; establishing close relationships with the world's centers of advanced learning; fostering creativity and excellence in research; exploring frontier and developing areas of scientific research; providing favorable environment for independent and creative scholarly research; nurturing young talents for future roles as accomplished scientists.