Huygens ING makes literary texts and historical sources available and is further engaged in scientific research into the history of Dutch literature and science from the Middle Ages until the present day.

Huygens ING is a research centre of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences), which focuses on the history of Dutch literature and science from the Middle Ages until today. The institutes prepares scientific text editions and publishes original source documents. One of its other tasks is to make the Dutch literary heritage accessible to a wide readership. Huygens ING is also engaged in analytical and interpretative research in these areas. In this respect, it endeavours to join in with the research of universities and fellow institutes both inside and outside the Netherlands.

Information technology is an important aid in all these activities: the institute develops software and carries out research to find out how IT resources can be put to effective use in text-oriented research. In short, the institute is intended to be a laboratory where research subjects, texts and technology are linked up. When making policy decisions, Huygens ING gives priority to the needs of research community sectors engaged in cultural studies.