The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust Centre for Research in Tropical Diseases is located at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Sir Dorabji Tata had originally mooted the proposal to set up the research centre in 1912, as a benefaction in memory of his father. It could not take shape until May 2000 when the Trust finally took up the project with the former Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research, the late Prof V Ramalingaswami, as adviser.

Sir Dorabji wanted the Centre to be set up as his father was interested in medical investigations and that was not being pursued at the Institute. The Institute had just come into being at that time and much of its emphasis had been on disciplines of engineering. The then Director was not keen to diversify into medical research immediately. Sir Dorabji did not call off his efforts in accomplishing his intent and in 1920, he met and discussed the issue with researchers at the Royal Society of London of possibly setting up such a centre in the then Bombay. The Royal Society was keen on providing assistance, but the proposal somehow did not take shape.

In 1997, the Trust decided that it should fulfil the desire of its Founder. In fact, the need for research into tropical diseases is more relevant and urgent today with the resurgence of diseases like malaria and tuberculosis and prevalence of several new diseases. The Trust carried out a study and found that the original location proposed by Sir Dorabji, that is, the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, was best suited for the purpose.

Prof Ramalingaswami became adviser to The Trust on this project. He had the conviction that the Centre will become a depository of knowledge to generate capability in molecular biology within the country and its research will be of considerable benefit to other developing countries.

The Trust has given a grant of Rs 0.5 million for the Centre.