The Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) was founded on 11 October 1965 on the initiative of Altiero Spinelli, its first director.

In 1991 the Institute moved to Palazzo Rondinini, an elegant eighteenth century Baroque building in the heart of Rome, where the main activities organized by the Institute take place.

A non-profit organization, the IAI is funded by individual and corporate members, public and private organizations, major international foundations, and by a standing grant from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Institute's main objective is to promote an understanding of the problems of international politics through studies, research, meetings and publications, with the aim of increasing the opportunities of all countries to move in the direction of supranational organization, democratic freedom and social justice (IAI Bylaws, Article 1).

The Institute offers members and non members standard and personalized services. An example of the latter is the Laboratory's Global Outlook.