The objective of the Institute is to form an international network for nomadic studies to deal, with the possibilities and requirements of contemporary scientific research, with relevant issues such as preservation and conservation of the unique historical and cultural heritage of the Nomads, and undertake actions which will contribute to developing appropriate elements of modernization in an effort to improve the way of life of nomadic populations.

The four Member States of the Institute are: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Turkey. Institutions and scholars are linked to IISNC through a system of Associated Members (Institutions) and Corresponding Members (Scholars and Students). IISNC comprises a General Assembly, Academic Council and a Secretariat. Prof. B. Enkhtuvshin is the Director of the Institute and Prof. J. Legrand, Professor of Mongolian language and civilization at INALCO (Paris) and President of INALCO is the Chairman of the Academic Council.

The IISNC has a website and produces a regular Newsletter "Nomads" as well as a more academic-style Bulletin and other publications. The Institute regularly holds international and regional conferences as well as expeditions.

IISNC contributes to UNESCO’s mandate through a strong promotion of intercultural exchange in the fields related to nomadic studies, as well as the promotion of dialogue between peoples, cultures and civilizations. For instance, in order to educate highly specialized personnel in the field of civilization study, the college "New Civilization" under IISNC, was established in 2001 upon the decision of the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, which currently has four bachelor degree programs with around 120 students.