第一财经研究院成立于2007年，是中国媒体机构中设立的最早一批研究院。早期的第一财经研究院主要向市场第一时间提供经过专业整合和分析的各类财经资讯，并定期提供涉及宏观经济、金融市场、产业领域在内的研究报告和数据服务。

2015年，第一财经研究院正式转型为第一财经旗下的非营利独立智库机构，以“致力于改善经济政策/Committed to Improving Economic Policy”为宗旨。2020年5月，第一财经研究院入选上海市（首批）重点智库，成为全国范围内媒体（公司）智库的佼佼者。

深入调研、全球视野、前沿资讯、媒体传播便捷和联结全球一流智见者的优势是第一财经研究院的特色。第一财经研究院基于事实和数据的独立研究分析，在经济金融、企业全球化、可持续发展、全球治理等领域发现问题、大胆研判、持续深耕，并承担了一系列政策咨询建言和课题研究工作，为中国和上海相关领域的政策制定与改善作出了一定贡献。

做对现实能够产生影响力的报告——让研究服务于政策，让研究服务于社会。基于这样的理念，第一财经研究院定期推出年度旗舰报告、课题研究、决策咨询、论坛研讨会、大型议题活动智力支持，以及指数和排名等系列产品。

Established in 2007, Yicai Research Institute is one of the first research institutes established by Chinese media organizations. In the early stage, Yicai Research Institute provides all sorts of financial information to the market which is professionally integrated and analyzed, and publishes report and provides data service covering macroeconomics, financial markets and industries.

In 2015, Yicai Research Institute officially becomes an independent and non-profit think-tank under Yicai Media Group (formerly known as China Business News, CBN), with “Committed to Improving Economic Policy” as its vision. In May 2020, Yicai Research Institute was officially recognized by Shanghai Planning Office of Philosophy and Social Science as one of Shanghai’s first key think-tanks, thus becoming a leading media think-tank nationwide.

In-depth research, global vision, latest information, the advantage of media communication and connections with the world's top intellectuals -- these formed Yicai Research Institute’s main features. With independent research and analysis based on facts and data as its foundation, Yicai Research Institute keeps identifying problems, conducting bold researches and forming cutting-edge opinions in the fields of economy and finance, enterprise’s globalization, sustainable development, and global governance. Meanwhile, Yicai Research Institute also aims to contribute to policy making and improvement through advice and research projects for China and Shanghai.

Publishing down-to-earth reports to serve policy making and society is the idea of Yicai Research Institute. We have established a series of products and events, such as annual flagship reports, research projects, policy advisories, indexes and rankings, as well as forums, seminars and intellectual consultation.