中国科学院自然科学史研究所（以下简称为“科学史所”）是中国科学院内少数兼具科学与人文的综合性基础研究单元，属于中国科学技术发展的基础性建制，是具有国际影响力的世界三大综合性科学技术史研究机构之一。其前身中国自然科学史研究室，由中国科学院副院长竺可桢创议成立于1957年，1975年扩建成为研究所。李俨、仓孝和、严敦杰、席泽宗、陈美东、廖克、刘钝、廖育群、张柏春先后担任所长（或负责人），现研究所工作由副所长关晓武研究员主持。

科学史所定位于研究科学技术的历史、本质和发展规律，认知科学技术与社会、政治、经济、文化等的复杂关系，探索科技史研究的新方向与新方法；研究和传播科学思想，认识科技发展大势，为国家科学思想库与科技智库建设、文化建设和综合人才培养做出独特贡献。

科学史所设有中国古代科技史研究室、中国近现代科技史研究室、世界科技史研究室、科技史综合研究室四个研究室，以及中国科学院学部科学文化研究支撑中心、文化遗产科技认知研究中心、中外科技发展比较研究中心、科技与社会研究中心、科学传播研究中心。现有编制规模为97人，拥有国际科技史研究院院士2人、通讯院士2人。主办《自然科学史研究》、《中国科学技术史（英文）》、《中国科技史杂志》和《科学文化评论》四个刊物。拥有李俨图书馆和中国科技史综合实验室。

The Institute of the History of Natural Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the "Institute of the History of Science") is one of the few comprehensive basic research units within the Chinese Academy of Sciences with both science and humanities. It belongs to the basic system of the development of science and technology in China, and is one of the three comprehensive research institutions of the history of science and technology in the world with international influence. It was founded in 1957 by Zhu Kezhen, Vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and expanded into a research institute in 1975. 

The orientation of the history of science is to study the history, nature and development law of science and technology, to understand the complex relationship between science and technology and society, politics, economy and culture, and to explore the new direction and new method of the study of the history of science and technology. To study and disseminate scientific ideas, understand the general trend of scientific and technological development, and make unique contributions to the construction of national scientific and technological think tanks, cultural construction and comprehensive personnel training.

The Institute of the History of Science consists of four laboratories: the History of Science and Technology in Ancient China, the History of Science and Technology in Modern China, the History of Science and Technology in the World, and the History of Science and Technology Comprehensive Laboratory, as well as the Supporting Center for Scientific and Cultural Research of the Faculty of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Research Center for Scientific and Technological Cognition of Cultural Heritage, the Comparative Research Center for Scientific and Technological Development between China and other Countries, the Research Center for Science and Technology and Society, and the Research Center for Science Communication. The current staff size is 97, with 2 academicians of the International Institute for the History of Science and Technology and 2 corresponding academicians. It has sponsored four publications: Research on the History of Natural Science, History of Science and Technology in China (English), Journal of the History of Science and Technology in China and Review of Science and Culture. There is a Liyan Library and a comprehensive laboratory of the History of Chinese Science and Technology.