In February 1988 UT, ORNL, and the Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding creating the Joint Institute for Neutron Sciences. The institute is the intellectual and user-support center for research scientists and engineers conducting research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Neutron Science facilities. The institute fosters new ideas and partnerships in neutron research by facilitating joint UT/ORNL programs and encouraging interaction among neutron scientists worldwide. It is specifically designed to support use of the ORNL High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Spallation Neutron Source, an accelerator-based neutron source in Oak Ridge.
In 1998 Governor Sundquist recommended and the Tennessee General Assembly appropriated funds to construct a facility to house the institute on ORNL land. Architects for the $10,625,000 building were Ross Fowler, and the contractor was Rouse Construction. The facility received LEED Certification (at the “Certified” level) November 11, 2011.