The John M. Olin Institute for Strategic Studies was founded July 1, 1989. It is an autonomous entity within the framework of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and is the result of an expansion and institutionalization of the Center's program in national security studies. The director of the Olin Institute is appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in consultation with the director of the Weatherhead Center.

The central purposes of the Institute are: (1) to conduct basic policy-relevant research on crucial topics of security and strategy, with a view to illuminating the security problems confronting the United States and its allies; and (2) to educate and prepare scholars in strategy and national security for positions in colleges and universities, research institutes, and government. To accomplish these objectives the Institute awards John M. Olin Fellowships in National Security, funds research by individual scholars, supports teaching in national security affairs at Harvard University, undertakes research projects on important topics, and encourages intellectual interaction among scholars and experts through conferences and seminars.