The Gelbart Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences was founded in 1987 by Prof. Bernard Pinchuk to institutionalize a long standing informal program of bringing visitors in analysis to Bar-Ilan University. Its name recognizes the many successful efforts of Prof. Abraham Gelbart to obtain external funding for mathematical research at Bar-Ilan. One of the major donors was Prof. Larry Zicklin.

From the very beginning, the main purpose of the Gelbart Institute has been to support the visits of foreign mathematicians to Bar-Ilan and to provide financial backing for mathematical conferences organized by Bar-Ilan faculty; this remains its current emphasis. Typically, visits (ranging from a week to a month or more) of a dozen or so mathematicians from abroad are supported annually.

As in other institutes at the University, the day to day administration of the Gelbart Institute is in the hands of a Director, who reports periodically to the Governing Board.