In 1983, the Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI) was established as the national center of excellence in the basic sciences through Presidential Executive Order No. 889 from the then Natural Sciences Research Center of UP Diliman. The building was named Miranda Hall in 2000.

• To undertake research in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences and Mathematics.
• To organize interdisciplinary programs.
• To support the graduate programs of the College of Science.
• To provide extension and other services on request and when feasible to research needs such as consultancies, research, training, technical support, analytical support, printing services to researchers, other units of the university, and other institutions and agencies, both government and private.
  To disseminate research findings through scientific publications, workshops, conferences and seminars.

• Accreditation to ISO 17205 by the RASL is the first in the UP System
• Philippine Supreme Court promulgation: Rule on DNA evidence, A.M. No. 06-11-5-SC, October 2007 was based on the work of the DAL
• Accreditation of Microbiologists to the Philippine Academy of Microbiology (PAM)
  Excellent Performance in Proficiency Testing
• Publication of Bacteriological Examination of Water Manual
• Establishment of the NSRI Chemical Waste Management System
• Continuous Upgrading of In-House Laboratories
• Recipient of Awards (TOYM, TOWNS, OYS, UP Scientist, Gawad Chanselor for REPS & Administrative Staff, IPA)

The NSRI serves as a constituent unit of the UP Diliman College of Science. It provides research grants and laboratory spaces to the faculty of the Institutes of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science and Meteorology and Mathematics. Their research findings have been published in international and local journals and some have been approved for patent.