The Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome is an interuniversity research and educational institute specialising in history, art history and archaeology.

Roles and competencies
The Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome is primarily a research and educational institution, acting as a liaison between Dutch universities and academic institutes in Italy. It also plays a cultural and social role. The Institute’s academic staff consists of specialists in the fields of archaeology, history and art history. In addition to acting as intermediaries for their Dutch colleagues they also conduct their own research projects, tutor PhD students and develop courses for Dutch university students. The research and educational activities conducted at the Institute have a strong focus on the history and culture of Rome, often in relation to the Netherlands.

Research and teaching
The Institute hosts students, researchers and scholars from Dutch universities who come to Rome for research purposes. It also organises courses for Dutch university students in the abovementioned disciplines. To facilitate its activities the Institute runs a library that can also be used by scholars from Italy and other countries.

International context
The Royal Netherlands Institute acts as a mediating body between the Dutch academic world and scientific institutions located in Rome and it promotes exchanges by organising conferences and seminars. As a member of the International Union of Archaeological, Historical and Art History Institutes in Rome, the Royal Netherlands Institute takes part in international scientific activities in Rome. These collaborations with other, Italian and non-Italian, institutes form the basis of its mediating role in Italy on behalf of the Netherlands.
 
Cultural exchange
In addition, the Institute contributes to Dutch culture promotion by organising exhibitions and concerts and by hosting the activities of the Foundation 'De Lage Landen'. This Foundation runs a lending library with Dutch and Flemish literature and organises Dutch language courses.