The University was established in 1953 as a branch of Moscow Engineering and Physics Institute to provide specialists in the field of nuclear physics, reactor physics and engineering for growing nuclear industry of the former Soviet Union. The education was provided in a close cooperation with nuclear relating research institutions located in Obninsk. In 1985 the status was changed for Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering to be the leading educational institution to educate specialists for rapidly developing nuclear power in the former Soviet Block countries. In 2002 it acquires the status of the state (national) technical university.