Institute of Mathematics, Physics and Mechanics (IMFM) was established by the National assembly of National Republic of Slovenia on April 28th 1960. On July 5th 1972, the University of Ljubljana has taken over the establishment rights.

Public Prosecutor’s Office of Slovenia summoned IMFM on January 24th 2003, it should, according to the Regulation of Entry Standardization of the Republic of Slovenia, mark in the court register Republic of Slovenia as the founder of the Institute. The District Court of Ljubljana has on May 5th 2006 entered Republic of Slovenia as the IMFM founder, from June 06th 1998 on. This was done at IMFM’s suggestion.

IMFM is not a budget beneficiary. It mostly gains means for its work with participating at open public tenders, mostly at Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Research Work (ARRS) for basic, post-PhD and applicative projects, research and infrastructure programs with a period of five years as well as at open public tenders for Target Research Programs, which are co financed by the ARRS and the Ministry of Defense. Funds gained through contracts with economic organizations represent a minor part of incomes.

On average, around 30 regularly employed and 120 supplementary employed associates conduct scientific research work at the IMFM. In addition to scientific research activity, which is the fundamental activity of the IMFM, young researchers, future scientists, are also trained at the IMFM. The purpose of training is to obtain a doctorate in science.

At the end of 2014 the legal status of the actual situation has been harmonized. With the decision of the District Court in Ljubljana - based on the documents that we have obtained from the University of Ljubljana - on 16. 10. 2014  IMFM has been entered in the Register as a public institution (form of organization), with the name of Institute of Mathematics, Physics and Mechanics; short name IMFM. As the founder IMFM has entered the Republic of Slovenia.

Since the adoption of the resolution on transformation, the IMFM has been striving to achieve the necessary harmonization of registration in the court register. The IMFM has addressed several applications to the ministry responsible for science, as well as to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, for the adoption of a resolution on the transformation of the IMFM into a public research institution, but the transformation of the institute has not been achieved.

The year 2022 represents a pivotal year for the IMFM. After years of effort by the institute, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted a resolution on the transformation of the public institution Institute of Mathematics, Physics, and Mechanics into a public research institution at its session on May 10, 2022. The resolution was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, no. 67, dated May 13, with effect from May 28, 2022.