The Centre for Brain Research was established as an autonomous, non-profit research organization in the Indian Institute of Science under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act of 1960, with the generous gift from Dr. Kris Gopalakrishnan (co-founder of Infosys Limited) and Mrs. Sudha Gopalakrishnan. CBR is funded by philanthropy and receives research grants for specific projects from several granting agencies. Dr. Kris Gopalakrishnan has also provided funds for the construction of the state-of-art building for use by CBR within IISc campus. The philanthropic gift by Dr. Gopalakrishnan is the largest support provided by an individual for scientific research in the history of India.

This is a unique initiative in the current research environment in India that will help in conducting cutting edge research on aging brain and age-associated brain disorders.