EIB is an independent, non-profit making foundation which was founded in 1956. The institute aims at fostering the knowledge of economic and social questions related to and of importance for the Dutch construction industry in an independent and scientific way. The work of EIB comprises:

• scientific research, especially in the area of the construction process and the building markets;
• preparation of reports on scientific research, both on own initiative and in response to outside demand.

Employers organisations and trade unions in the field of construction are represented in the governing body, which has to watch over the interests of the Institute and the achievement of its objectives, but without interfering in the scientific research itself. The institute is financed by general subscriptions from the Education and Development Fund for the construction industry. Besides a part of the resources comes from funds for special projects and contract research.

The EIB has three research departments, one of which is focussed on the construction market and housing, another studies the construction firms and the labour market. The third department both has a supporting statistical and a research function. The staff mainly consists of economists, statisticians and sociologists and comprises around 20 people. Annually EIB publishes approximately 35 research reports. Our own magazine Bouw/Werk, with short articles discussing the research projects, is published quarterly.