The Directorate of Research is headed by Deputy Director General (Research) and supported with two Assistant Director General (Research Planning), Assistant Director General (Monitoring and Evaluation) and number of scientists. The Directorate ensures that all research projects taken up by ICFRE Institutes are need based and address the regional and national forestry research problem. The research prioritization by the Directorate is through participatory mechanism involving all the stakeholders and end users. For holistic approach to address the research problems and to avoid duplication of work, ICFRE has initiated an All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRPs) on some emerging themes and including important forestry species.

• 1- Research Planning Division: The Research Planning Division of the Directorate deals with the research planning, processing, formulation and finalization of research programme of ICFRE, including the review of the ongoing research projects in commensuration with research plans of all the institutes of ICFRE. Every year, the Research Planning Division coordinates the Research Advisory Group meetings at Institute level and Research Policy Committee meeting at ICFRE HQs under the chairmanship of Director General, ICFRE.
  It keeps in view the balance among national, international, regional and state research requirements as well as ensures investment in high quality forestry research and emerging needs to meet the aspirations of the society. The division of Research planning performs overall coordination in the light of trends in forestry research.
• 2- Monitoring and Evaluation Division: The division monitors all the ongoing research projects of ICFRE and suggests corrective measures for timely completion, achieving the proposed objectives and for improving the quality of research. The evaluation of project completion report and organizing periodical seminar in ICFRE institutes is also coordinated by this division.