Karst is a landmark of Slovenia. Almost half of the country is karstic, with about 8,000 registered caves. More than half of the population is supplied by karst waters. The international term karst is derived from the name of Slovene region Kras, an area also regarded as the cradle of scientific discipline - karstology.

Karstology has become a complex multidisciplinary science, covering a wide range of earth sciences related to karst. A long tradition of excellent research and a unique position at the heart of classical karst have established the Institute as one of the most recognised karstological centres in the world.

Karst is the focus of the Institute's research. It studies its hydrology, geology, morphology, ecology, microbiology and speleology, as well as the history of karstology. The Institute's researchers come from various backgrounds, including geology, geography, physics, chemistry, biology and microbiology, thus enabling a multidisciplinary approach. The Institute's research includes field studies, laboratory investigations and numerical modelling. It conducts both basic and applied studies.

The Institute hosts a karstological library, one of the most complete of its kind, a laboratory specialising in water chemistry, a geological laboratory and a lecture room with modern presentation equipment.

Several of the Institute's researchers are enrolled as lecturers in the postgraduate Karstology programme offered by the University of Nova Gorica.