Founded in June 1973, the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University (commonly known as HURI) serves as a focal point for graduate and undergraduate students, fellows, and associates pursuing research in Ukrainian language, literature, and history as well as in anthropology, archaeology, art history, economics, political science, sociology, theology, and other disciplines.

Since 1970, the Institute has held a weekly seminar in Ukrainian Studies and, since 2001, the Ukraine Study Group, both meeting during the academic year. It also organizes symposia and conferences on a variety of related topics. Together with the Harvard University Library, its library has one of the largest collections of Ukrainian materials in the West. The Institute's Library contains reference materials, periodicals, and other basic resources available for use at the Institute.

Since 1971, the Harvard Ukrainian Summer Institute (HUSI) has provided an opportunity for students and other interested individuals to take courses in Ukrainian language, history, literature and culture as part of the Harvard Summer School. The Institute's publication office publishes the Harvard Ukrainian Studies journal (founded in 1977) as well as a series of book publications, including the Harvard Series in Ukrainian Studies, the Harvard Library of Early Ukrainian Literature, and Harvard Papers in Ukrainian Studies. A bulletin, Perspectives on Contemporary Ukraine is also available.