ITFC implements research and monitoring aimed at addressing the threats and challenges for conservation in the region.  The institute works closely with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the National Forest Authority and other local and regional partners.  These partnerships help ITFC in setting priorities and ensuring that results and recommendations are translated into management actions when appropriate. At least once a year an 'information sharing workshop' is planned for this purpose.

Since the late 1990-ies, ITFC has led and maintained various long term monitoring activities for Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks, assessing changes in the conservation status of the forest and impacts of management strategies. Since 2009, ITFC-UWA became part of TEAM, a global network of fieldsites monitoring long term trends in tropical ecosystems.

Of particular interest to many is the ecology, conservation, management and tracking mountain gorillas which have been studied from ITFC for more than a decade.  Currently, the main gorilla research performed out of ITFC is lead by the Max Plank Institute. 

A focus for ITFC has been to characterize and help address emerging threats and opportunities for the Albertine Rift (e.g. climate change, carbon markets, emerging diseases, population trends), under a 3 year grant from the MacArthur Foundation.

A major component of ITFC's work involves capacity building.  The institute focuses on postgraduate research and training and continues to guide and support many Ugandan students and young researchers. Suggested research topics that ITFC is interested in 

Many of ITFC’s alumni are now leaders in conservation.  Click here for an overview of completed postgraduate projects.

Lastly, the institute serves as a base for visiting researchers from Uganda and elsewhere to pursue their own research.