The National Atomic Research Institute (NARI) was founded in 1968 and currently under the administration of Atomic Energy Council (AEC), Taiwan. INER is the sole national research institute to promote peaceful applications of nuclear science in Taiwan. INER's major research areas include nuclear energy, new/renewable energy, radiopharmaceuticals and plasma technology. All these R&D projects operate in close matrix with eleven functional divisions.

In compliance with energy policy of the government, INER has initiated an integrated research program to develop renewable energy technologies. Especially, INER has established a first-of-its-kind ton-scale cellulosic ethanol pilot plant in Taiwan, this facility will also be served as an important platform for validation of technologies related to cellulosic ethanol and biorefinery.