The Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies (1997) traces its beginnings back to 1922, July with the organization of the first buryat science establishment - Buryat Scholarly Committee (headed by B.B.Baradin), its objectives being - study the history, language and culture of the peoples of Buryatia.

In May 1929 it was reorganized in the Buryat-Mongolian State Institute of Culture, including sectors on the history, linguistics, art and productive forces, science library and a museum (headed by I.P.Khabaev). In 1936 it became the Buryat-Mongolian State Institute of Language, Literature and History and in 1943, added with the sector of economy and the Botanical Garden, it was renamed into the Buryat-Mongolian Scientific Research Institute of Culture and Economy. After transmission of the sector of economy to the Eastern-Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences in November 1949, it became the Buryat-Mongolian Scientific Research Institute of Culture (below as BMSRIC). From 1936 throughout 1958 the Institute was headed successively by G.Ts.Belgaev, B.S.Sanzhiev, M.P.Shulukshin, P.T.Khaptaev, P.I.Khadalov, Ts.B.Tsydendambaev.

In 1958 on the base of BMSRIC, the Buryat Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Institute of the Siberian Division of the USSR Academy of Sciences was established, it consisted of departments of humanities and natural sciences. In 1966 it was reorganized into the Buryat Affiliate of the Siberian Division, which included two institutes - of Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. From 1958 to 1980 the Institute was headed by D.D. Lubsanov. Professor V.Ts. Naidakov headed the Institute from 1980 to 1997. In 1997 due to the State Accreditation of Scientific Organizations the Buryat Institute of Social Sciences was renamed and became the Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies. It is headed by the Corresponding Member of the RAS Doctor of Sciences in History B.V. Bazarov.

The Institute consists of 6 scientific subdivisions: Department of Philosophy, Cultural and Religious Studies, Department of Linguistics, Department of Literature and Folklore Studies, Department of History, Ethnology and Sociology, Department of History and Culture of Central Asia and Center of Oriental Manuscripts and Xylographs.