Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS), Kolkata, working in the area of non-formal science education is a non-profit  Registered Society. Established in 1958 by visionaries like Dr. B. C. Roy, Chief Minister of West Bengal and Sir Jehangir Ghandy, Chairman Tata Steel , Dr. D.M. Bose, Bose Institute, Dr. S. K. Mitra, Sir Ramasawamy Mudaliar, Shri R P Billimoria, noted industrialists and educationists and other stalwarts, it was designed with  the help of Westinghouse Science Talent Test, Science Service, Washington. The first batch of JBNSTS scholars received their medals from independent India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1961.

During the initial years, JBNSTS was considered a popular scheme for providing scholarships to meritorious students. Gradually JBNSTS has shed away its image of just a scholarship giving scheme and for nearly four decades now,  this institution has evolved  as a pioneering centre for identifying and nurturing young  talented students of science, medicine and engineering  who would grow up to become leaders in their fields.   JBNSTS has thus gradually grown to become an institution providing a  range of educational opportunities to the promising student scientist.  Initially financed by the Government of West Bengal, its activities were limited to  students of this State. As the programs of the institution gained impetus and popularity in terms of student service, JBNSTS spread its umbrella to cover 12 other States: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh. 

JBNSTS is a non profit organisation and  depends on multiple sources of funding to meet the educational needs of its range of students. Thus, funding is sought from both Private and Government  bodies. The program in West Bengal is funded and maintained by the State Government, whereas financial support for the neighboring States' student programs is obtained from the Ministry of Human Resource Development( MHRD ), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Awards to scholars are met from donations from individuals, institutes and industries.

Based in Kolkata (Calcutta) since its inception in 1958, JBNSTS initially operated from the Bose Institute. With expansion of programs and widening of its objectives in 1991, its address shifted to a larger temporary premise in north Kolkata.  From 1999 the plans for building the JB-CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE in south Kolkata started taking shape, following which JBNSTS relocated its office to its current temporary location.