The nine Programme Divisions are:

1. Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
2. Forest Genetics and Biotechnology (FGB)
3. Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation (FEBC)
4. Wood Science and Technology WST)
5. Forestry and Human Dimensions (FHD)
6. Forest Health (FH)
7. Forest Management Information System (FMIS)
8. Extension and Training (ET)
9. Library and Information (LI)

Each Programme Division is headed by a Programme Coordinator (PC) and each Department by a Head of the Department (HOD). The Departments have specialized laboratories attached to them and facilitating implementation of the various ongoing programmes in the subject area. A Research Monitoring and Evaluation Unit working directly under the Director assists in the time to time monitoring of the research programmes.

Fifty-eight qualified research scientists specialized in various subjects are involved in the conduct of the research programmes. The scientists are supported by temporary staff appointed in the projects. KFRI is attached to the FRI University and a number of the research staff working in time bound projects get the opportunity for doing their Ph.D. Scientists also act as guides for M.Phil. dissertation works.

The Subcentre at Nilambur (140 km from Peechi) has facilities for laboratory work and field trials. A bambusetum with 21 bamboo species and several species trial plots are maintained at the Subcentre. The Teak Museum within the Subcentre campus, a unique blend of art and science, displays exhibits on various aspects of teak, including distribution, history of planting, cultivation practices, and utilization.

A Bioresources Nature Trail is being established adjacent to the Museum depicting various biological themes. A model butterfly garden is another attraction of the trail. The Subcentre has a Guest House and a Research Scholars’ Dormitory within the campus.