The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is a scientific institution that organizes, conducts and coordinates basic and applied research and development in the main areas of natural, technical, humanities, social sciences and arts.

The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (previously: Belarusian Academy of Sciences in 1928–1936; Academy of Sciences of the the Byelorussian SSR in 1936–1991; Academy of Sciences of Belarus in 1991–1997) was founded on the basis of the Institute of Belarusian Culture which operated in 1922–1928. The ceremonial opening of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences was held in Minsk on January 1, 1929. The famous historian, academician Usievalad M. Ihnatoŭski became the first president of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences. Initially, the staff of the Academy of Sciences consisted of 128 people, including 87 research workers. The 1930s and 1940s were a very difficult time for the main scientific institution.

By the beginning of 1941, the Academy of Sciences employed about 750 people. In its structure there were 12 scientific research institutions, of which 9 institutes. During the Nazi occupation of Belarus in 1941–1944, the normal operation of the Academy of Sciences was interrupted. During the war years, the Academy of Sciences suffered huge losses. Scientific laboratories, equipment, buildings, and library collections were destroyed. In 1945, the total number of employees of the Academy of Sciences was 360 people (half the pre-war number). 

In early 1945, 8 academic institutes resumed their activities. In 1951, the Academy of Sciences had already 29 research institutions, including 16 institutes. The total number of employees reached 1234 people. The profile of further research work of the Academy of Sciences was formed under the influence of changes in the structure of the economy, existing traditions and available scientific potential. 

A new stage in the history of the Academy of Sciences began with the restoration of independence of Belarus in 1991.

In 1997, the Academy of Sciences received the status of national and became the highest state scientific organization of the country.

Since 2002, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus included the Academy of Agrarian Sciences of the Republic of Belarus, the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Basic Research, the Belarusian State Research and Production Concern of Interindustry Machine Building and Instrumentation, the Belarusian State Research and Production Concern of Powder Metallurgy, and other organizational structures. The Academy of Sciences also includes the Jakub Kolas Central Scientific Library. 

Please, use the audio guide for the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus: https://nasbguide.krokam.by/.

Publication date: 05.02.2021.

---

For convenient navigation through the landmarks, use the FREE mobile program