由时任国务院副总理邓小平等中央领导批准，中国科学院理论物理研究所（以下简称理论物理所）成立于1978年6月9日，是在理论物理各主要研究方向及相关交叉领域从事基础研究的专业研究所。
“两弹一星”功勋奖章获得者彭桓武、周光召担任第一任所长、第二任所长，在他们前瞻性的战略思想指引下，理论物理所秉承了“开放、流动、竞争、联合”的办所方针，以及“开放、交融、求真、创新”的办所理念，团结海内外各界物理学工作者，从简陋的中关村平房小院，不断发展为从事基础研究的理论物理中心、人才培养基地、学术交流平台。在理论物理学的各个研究方向和交叉领域开展创造性、前瞻性研究，取得了一系列辉煌成绩，培养了一大批优秀人才，为中国理论物理事业的发展作出了应有的贡献。
建所以来，理论物理所作为第一完成单位，获得国家自然科学二等奖7项，国家科技进步二等奖1项；作为参与单位，获得国家科技进步特等奖2项，国家自然科学一等奖1项，国家自然科学二等奖1项，以及省部级各类科技奖励30多项。有2人获得“两弹一星”功勋奖章，1人获得求是基金会“中国杰出科学家”奖，1人获得求是基金会“杰出青年学者”奖；1人获得何梁何利科学成就奖，3人获得何梁何利科学与技术进步奖，1人获中央和国家机关优秀共产党员荣誉称号；以及其他50多项个人奖励。
曾经在理论物理所工作和学习的有17位院士，其中12位院士是在理论物理所当选，8位入选发展中国家科学院院士。
理论物理所现有第一研究室、第二研究室2个研究单元，综合处（党办）、科研处、人事教育处、财务部、信息部、编辑部6个管理支撑部门。截止2021年底，共有在职职工62人，其中科研人员37人、科技支撑人员10人、管理人员15人，离退休人员43人。
理论物理现有专业硕士、博士研究生培养点，设有物理学专业博士后流动站。现在学研究生158人（其中硕士生35人、博士生123人）、在站博士后23人。 （2022年更新）
"Rocket" medal winner hwan-wu peng, zhou guangzhao, director, director of the first, second, in their prospective strategic thought under the guidance of the theory of physics adhering to the "open, flow, competition, joint" of management policy, as well as the "open, blend, honest, innovation" the management idea, unity physics workers from all walks of life both at home and abroad, From the simple Zhongguancun bungalow courtyard, it has continuously developed into a theoretical physics center engaged in basic research, a talent training base, and a platform for academic exchange. He has carried out creative and prospective research in various research directions and cross-fields of theoretical physics, made a series of brilliant achievements, trained a large number of outstanding talents, and made due contributions to the development of theoretical physics in China.
Since its establishment, the Institute of Theoretical Physics, as the first unit, has won 7 national Second Prize of natural science and 1 National Second Prize of scientific and Technological progress. As a participating unit, it has won 2 national Science and technology progress special awards, 1 National natural Science first prize, 1 national natural Science Second Prize, and more than 30 provincial and ministerial science and technology awards. Two of them won the "Two bombs and one Star" Merit medal, one won the "Outstanding Scientist of China" Award and one won the "Outstanding Young Scholar" Award of the Qiushi Foundation. One person won the Ho Leung Ho Lee Science Achievement Award, three won the Ho Leung Ho Lee Science and Technology Progress Award, and one won the honorary title of Outstanding Communist Party Member in central and state organs. And more than 50 other individual awards.
There are 17 academicians who used to work and study in the Institute of Theoretical Physics, among which 12 were elected by the Institute and 8 were elected by the Academy of Sciences of developing countries.
The Institute has two research units: the First Research Office and the Second Research Office, and six management support departments: General Office (Party Office), Scientific Research Office, Personnel Education Department, Finance Department, Information Department and Editorial Department. By the end of 2021, there are 62 employees in total, including 37 researchers, 10 science and technology support personnel, 15 management personnel and 43 retired people.
There are professional training centers for master's and doctoral students in theoretical physics, and a mobile station for post-doctoral students in physics. At present, there are 158 postgraduate students (including 35 master students and 123 doctoral students) and 23 post-doctoral students at the station. (Updated in 2022)