The Hellenic Folklore Research Centre is one of the fourteen research centres of the Academy of Athens.  It became part of the Academy in 1926, when the Academy of Athens was established.

The Centre was established in 1918 by Nicolaos G. Politis.  It constitutes the National Documentation Centre for traditional and contemporary Greek Culture.  It has a specialized library and a rich archive of unpublished material on all aspects of traditional Greek life and culture.  Its activities include field researches, research projects, publications, conferences, exhibitions and other events.  It provides academic support for museums and for cultural bodies in the provinces of Greece. It collaborates with other academic institutions in Greece and abroad.