The aim of CIMA Foundation is to advance science and engineering in environmentally related fields, focusing on public health and safety, civil protection and the preservation of terrestrial and water-related ecosystems. This aim is accomplished through scientific research, technology transfer and high level training services.

The charter of the Foundation defines the activities related to its mission as follows:

A. the Foundation promotes and develops scientific knowledge directly through its research staff, and indirectly through consultants, Universities, Research Organizations and other Research Foundations. Specifically, the Foundation supports and promotes research, technological development, higher education, professional background improvement and the development of institutional competences in areas such as hydrology, hydrogeology, hydraulics, atmosphere and ocean dynamics, meteorology, hydrometeorology and climatology, earth observation, evaluation and management of natural, industrial and man-made risk, the evaluation of the impact of climate variability on environmental systems, ecosystem modelling, environmental chemical processes, renewable energy sources, environmental remediation, environmental law, complex systems dynamics including complex social system dynamics.

B. the Foundation promotes the integration amongst different research areas, the interaction between basic and applied research, and the technology transfer of cutting-edge knowledge into products of high technological content; it promotes the culture of obtaining tangible results in social and industrial areas.

C. the Foundation contributes to the consolidation of the scientific technical and professional background on themes related to its mission.

D. the Foundation delivers high educational programs within multidisciplinary projects and programs. E. the Foundation develops relationships with national and international research centres in common fields of interest, establishing collaborative research, exchange programs and hosting visiting scientists.

F. the Foundation promotes the culture of public health and security, of civil protection, of the preservation of terrestrial and water-related ecosystems by means of research projects which consider the socio-economic aspects together with the management and governance aspects of issues related to the environment, such as water systems, waste, transportation, and energy.

The Foundation realizes its mission by, performing basic and applied research, and publishing results; designing and implementing prototype projects; organizing short courses, workshops, and summer schools; providing research training for doctorate and graduate students; supporting doctoral and post-doctoral research positions; establishing collaborative research and exchange programs and hosting visiting scientists.