An institute is a permanent organizational body created for a certain purpose. Often it is a research organization (research institution) created to do research on specific topics. An institute can also be a professional body.

In some countries institutes can be part of a university or other institution of higher education, either as a group of departments or an autonomous educational institution without a classic full university status such as a University Institute. See Institute of Technology.

The word comes from the Latin word institutum meaning facility or habit; from instituere meaning build, create, raise or educate.

In some countries, such as South Korea and Japan, private schools are sometimes called institutes, rather than schools.

In the United Kingdom the title 'Institute' is a protected word and companies or other organisations may only use that word if they are "organisations which are carrying out research at the highest level or to professional bodies of the highest standing". Furthermore, if a company is carrying on a business under a different name to the company name, that business name must comply with the Business Names Act. Use of the title 'Institute' requires approval from the Secretary of State. Failure to seek approval is a criminal offence.

• Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and Pacific
  cirdap.org.sg
  Intergovernmental institution established in 1979 to assist national action and promote regional co-operation relating to Integrated Rural Development (IRD) and to provide technical support by encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences.
• Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research
  anu.edu.au
  Multi-disciplinary social sciences research centre at the Australian National University with primary focus on indigenous Australian economic policy and economic development issues.
• The Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise
  kenaninstitute.unc.edu
  Works with business, academic, and government organizations to promote cooperative approaches to market-based economic development and uses the private sector to serve public interest worldwide.