Established in the beginning to carry out consultancy and technical assistance to farmers and field veterinarians, IZSLT has gradually increased its role in research over animal health, food and feed safety, livestock products, animal welfare, epidemiology, communication..
Research projects are supported by several funding bodies. Main one is Ministry of Health; others are: Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Industry, Foreign Affairs; Regions; EU; Local Authority, Private sector.
Research projects mainly concern field and applied research or intervention or take the form of survey. Many aim at developing innovative diagnostic methods and laboratory techniques.

Average yearly financial turnover on financed research is of 3 millions euros.