AIP has been supporting work in the history of the physical sciences since 1961, and our Niels Bohr Library & Archives has welcomed researchers for nearly as long. Today, we host renowned collections of books, archival records, oral history interviews, photographs, and other media. We also conduct historical research and promote the work of scientists, professional historians, and other archival institutions in preserving and documenting history. Our community-building activities include hosting public events and conferences and offering research grants and fellowships.

A core component of AIP’s overall Research Strategy is the implementation of an Annual Research Agenda. Each year, AIP staff will work with leaders from AIP’s 10 Member Societies and AIP’s Board of Directors to establish and publish a research agenda that identifies three to seven topics on which we will concentrate our research activities for that year. For the 2026 AIP Research Agenda, our research team will be focusing on five key topics.