Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehra Dun made a humble beginning as Forest School established in 1878. Initially named as Imperial Forest Research Institute, FRI came into being in 1906.  Later renamed as Forest Research Institute and Colleges, with a number of centres located at different places all over the country administering research as well as training of Forest Officers and Forest Rangers.  After reorganization of Forestry Research in the country and creation of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) in 1988, the training and research centres were given an independent status of institutes. Forest Research Institute, now one of the institutes under ICFRE, was conferred the status of Deemed University in December 1991 on the recommendations of the UGC, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

The objectives for which the Institute is established are

• To impart education in such branches of forestry and environment as it may deem fit.
• To provide for research and for the advancement of and dissemination of knowledge in the forestry and environment. The disciplines pursued in the Institute are Silviculture, Resource Survey and Management, Social forestry, Minor forest produce, Ecology and conversation, Genetics and tree propagation, Forest protection, Forest Botany, Forest products and Forest Operations. The thrust areas are bio-diversity, tree improvement & quality seed production, non-wood forest products, social forestry & wasteland afforestation, design development of modern forestry tools, etc.
• To create consciousness about forest and environment among the people through extension programs.
• To do all such other acts and things as may be necessary or  desirable to further the safeguarding of environment and protection of forest & wildlife.
• Dehradun is truly wonderful place to be associated with. It has friendly and helpful people, an abundance of recreational opportunities and places to see and visit. The open countryside, hills and mountains of Dehradun has a reputation being the educational capital of the country. Dehradun has a sub-tropical climate with cool winters, warm and crisp springs, hot summers and a strong monsoon. With over 200 years of history, Dehradun’s proudest moment came in Novembers 2000, when the town become the capital of Uttarakhand, understandably termed as Dev Bhoomi (abode of the Gods).
• The city is 240 Kms away from New Delhi and is well connected by road, rail and air. The University is located in  FRI campus on Kaulagarh road in Dehradun.