Founded in 1951 and depositary of the scientific legacy of E. Fermi and his school, the National Institute of Nuclear Physics is one of the most prestigious Italian research institutes.

Its task is fundamental research in nuclear, subnuclear and astroparticle physics, together with the development of related technologies.

The Bari Section was established with a resolution of 21 April 1972.

It is one of the 19 Sections, 4 National Laboratories, 1 National Center for Telematics and Information Technology and 11 Connected Groups into which the INFN is divided into the national territory.