IIR's purpose is to carry out research into international and Chinese Communist affairs for use as reference in government policy making, to submit reports and suggestions to the government concerning major events in mainland China and overseas, and to promote understanding of and support for the Republic of China in the international community.

Taiwan's peaceful transition to democracy is not only a historical accomplishment for its twenty-three million people, but a landmark in the worldwide spread of democracy. Only after years of struggle and effort could this transformation take place. We must never forget this history, for it shapes the cornerstone of our continued commitment to the principles of democracy and human rights. The Foundation was established with an inter-related, two-tracked mission in mind. Domestically, the TFD strives to play a positive role in consolidating Taiwan's democracy and fortifying its commitment to human rights; internationally, the Foundation hopes to become a strong link in the world?s democratic network, joining forces with related organizations around the world. Through the years, Taiwan has received valuable long-term assistance and stalwart support from the international community, and it is now time to repay that community for all of its efforts.

The Institute for National Policy Research (INPR) was formally established in January 1989, at the initiative of Evergreen Group Chairman Chang Yung-fa, as a subsidiary of the Chang Yung-fa Foundation. It was the first completely privately-funded public affairs research organization in Taiwan, the first non-partisan think tank.

At its founding, the INPR dedicated itself to the achievement of four principal aims: the advancement of democratic constitutionalism, the promotion of a liberal and equitable economic system, the reestablishment of social ethics and morality, and the raising of Taiwan's international status.

Founded in 1994, the Foundation on International & Cross-Strait Studies (formerly Chinese Eurasian Foundation) is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution dedicated to public policy analysis and impact. Initiated by a group of former government officials, business executives, and senior scholars, the Foundation is committed to be a leading think tank in the R.O.C. (Taiwan). Its primary missions are:

- to raise public awareness of national security interests,
- to provide policy options for government and private sectors,
- to enhance studies in the areas of Europe, Americas, and Asia-Pacific.
- to promote understandings across the Taiwan Strait, and
- to sponsor international exchanges and collaborations.

Defining itself as a policy initiator, the Foundation's mission is to advocate public policies and promote legislation. It will perform rigorous and objective research and analysis, and issue policy statements and proposals on a regular basis. It is committed to serving the public interest and will market its proposals to develop itself as a leading think-tank.

The NPF tries to provide insightful evaluation on government policies, projects, bills, and budgets so that the people can judge them objectively. By doing so, we also fulfill the role as watchdog and counterbalance to the government. The Foundation will act as an independent advocate of policy on essential issues facing our nation and society in the 21st Century. We will pursue a public policy research capability that is the most responsive and credible in the nation, offering timely recommendations, bipartisan research, and practical solutions to the public. It has the future well-being of the people of Taiwan uppermost in its mind, and will not shrink from the responsibilities that it considers right.

CIER was founded by the government to act as a nonprofit and autonomous think tank. Though some of the endowment has come from donations from local private enterprises, CIER is more like a semigovernmental research institute with a clear mission to undertake macroeconomic studies and other theoretical work.