# Agrophysical Research Institute

> research and education institution in St. Petersburg, Russia

**Wikidata**: [Q24897059](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24897059)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrophysical_Research_Institute)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/agrophysical-research-institute

## Summary
The Agrophysical Research Institute (AFI) is a research and education institution located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Founded in 1932 by prominent scientists Abram Ioffe and Nikolay Maksimov, the institute operates as a dedicated research organization focused on generating new knowledge. It is affiliated with the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences and falls under the purview of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1932
- **Founders:** Abram Ioffe and Nikolay Maksimov
- **Location:** Saint Petersburg, Russia (Coordinates: 60.000654, 30.384202)
- **Type:** Research Institute (Instance of: Research Organization)
- **Also Known As:** Agrofizicheskiy Nauchno-ISsledovatelskiy Institut Rosselkhozakademii; AFI
- **Parent Organizations:** Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Department of Agricultural Sciences; Ministry of Science and Higher Education
- **Leadership:** Abram Ioffe (Chairperson/Director)
- **Website:** http://www.agrophys.ru/Agrophysical-institute
- **GRID ID:** grid.483191.6
- **ROR ID:** 034sqmv32
- **ISNI:** 0000000449117648
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/11bzq3gtb6
- **Russian Organisation Number:** 1027802514365
- **Historical Context:** Associated with Russia, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded the Agrophysical Research Institute and when?
The institute was established in 1932. It was founded by Abram Ioffe and Nikolay Maksimov.

### Q: Where is the Agrophysical Research Institute located?
The institute is situated in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Its specific geographic coordinates are latitude 60.000654 and longitude 30.384202.

### Q: What is the organizational hierarchy of the institute?
The Agrophysical Research Institute is part of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Its parent organizations include the Department of Agricultural Sciences and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

### Q: How is the institute classified in academic and library systems?
It is classified as a research institute, an organization type distinct from universities or think tanks due to its primary focus on conducting research. It holds identifications such as the Library of Congress authority ID and German National Library GND ID (via its class definition) and is mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization.

## Why It Matters
As a specialized research institute, the Agrophysical Research Institute represents critical infrastructure for advancing human knowledge in the field of agricultural sciences. Unlike universities that divide attention between teaching and research, or corporate entities driven by commercial ends, this institute exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. It serves as a dedicated engine of discovery, allowing scientists to pursue long-term, high-risk research into agrophysics without the distractions inherent in other institutional models. By concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation, the organization contributes to breakthroughs that address global challenges such as food security and climate change adaptation, continuing a legacy that spans from the Soviet era to modern Russia.

## Notable For
- **Distinct Mission:** Functioning exclusively for research activities, differentiating it from teaching universities and policy-focused think tanks.
- **Prestigious Founding:** Established by Abram Ioffe, a seminal figure in physics, ensuring a strong scientific foundation.
- **Historical Continuity:** Maintaining operations and relevance through different geopolitical eras (Russian Empire, Soviet Union, modern Russia).
- **Specialized Focus:** Dedicating resources specifically to agrophysical research, a niche often overshadowed in broader academic institutions.
- **Global Recognition:** Listed in numerous international databases including GRID, ISNI, ROR, and the Great Russian Encyclopedia.

## Body

### Founding and Leadership
The Agrophysical Research Institute was established in 1932. Its creation was spearheaded by two key figures in Russian science: Abram Ioffe and Nikolay Maksimov. Abram Ioffe, who is also listed as the chairperson (director), played a pivotal role in defining the institute's direction. The institute's inception during the early 20th century places it within a critical period of scientific development in the Soviet Union.

### Organizational Structure and Affiliations
The institute operates as a unit of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Its administrative oversight involves multiple layers, including a parent connection to the Department of Agricultural Sciences and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. This hierarchy places the institute within the broader state apparatus dedicated to scientific advancement in Russia. The organization is officially registered with a Russian Organisation Number (1027802514365).

### Location and Geography
The institute is physically located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Its precise geographic location is recorded at latitude 60.000654 and longitude 30.384202. A visual record of the facility is available through the Wikimedia Commons category "Agrophysical Research Institute," which includes an aerial image of the site.

### Identity and Classification
Formally classified as a "research institute," the entity is defined as an organization whose primary purpose is to conduct research. It distinguishes itself from scientific societies (which are membership-based) and think tanks (which focus on policy). The institute is known by several aliases, including the transliterated "Agrofizicheskiy Nauchno-ISsledovatelskiy Institut Rosselkhozakademii" and the acronym "AFI."

### Database Identifiers and IDs
The Agrophysical Research Institute is indexed in numerous global knowledge systems:
*   **Academic Databases:** It holds a GRID ID (grid.483191.6), a KISTI ID (K000214806), and a discontinued Microsoft Academic ID (2799309250).
*   **Libraries & Archives:** It is listed in the Great Russian Encyclopedia (Online ID: 1851820; Portal ID: agrofizicheskii-nauchno-issledovatel-skii-institut-63ab6e). It also possesses an ISNI (0000000449117648).
*   **Web and Semantic Data:** The entity has a Google Knowledge Graph ID (/g/11bzq3gtb6) and a ROR ID (034sqmv32). It is mapped via schema.org as a ResearchOrganization.

## References

1. The “Prison Autobiography” by Nikolai Alexandrovich Maximov. Part II
2. Unified State Register of Legal Entities
3. GRID Release 2017-07-12
4. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph