The new future main office of the ISTC was officially opened at Nazarbaev University in Astana, Kazakhstan on 5 June, 2014. The opening took part within the framework of the 59th ISTC Governing Board meeting held in Astana.

There are strong links between the research and business communities of Kazakhstan and the ISTC. Since Kazakhstan became a member of ISTC, 184 projects with a total value of 66 million USD were funded to the benefit of the Kazakh scientific community. Projects were mainly financed in the field of biotechnology, fission reactors, chemistry, environment and medicine. All major Kazakh R&D institutes participated in ISTC projects, often together with their colleagues in the CIS, EU, Canada, Japan and USA. The projects generated high quality basic research and possibilities of bringing this research to the marketplace. 

The Ministry of Education and Science (MES) is the lead agency for the ISTC in Kazakhstan. An ISTC Branch Office has existed in Almaty since 1995. The continued growth of research collaborations in Kazakhstan and increases in project funding have required expansion of the current ISTC Branch Office with the further intent of relocating the ISTC main headquarters from Russia to Kazakhstan.

Nazarbayev University (NU), located in Astana, Kazakhstan, was confirmed as the new ISTC office location with an offered permanent ISTC Headquarters space in the future NU Science Park. A temporary office facility is available until the permanent space is completed. The projected occupancy is spring 2016. In December 2013, the ISTC working together with Nazarbayev University, finalized the office space agreement with effect from 22 December 2013. 

In addition to the ISTC move to Nazarbayev University, the University applied for and was recommended by the MES for Partnership to the ISTC. In 2012 Nazarbayev University was accepted as a partner to the ISTC, creating the first such Partnership in the history of the ISTC.

Official opening of the new ISTC office in Kazakhstan: Ribbon Cutting ceremony of ISTC Office facility Nazarbayev University, Astana from 24.kz TV-channel ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgu4F8QxJLY