International Research and Development has its roots in the Lester Pearson Institute for International Development, which was first established at Dalhousie in 1987 and which later became known as Lester Pearson International (LPI). The Institute's aims were to contribute to international development and enrich teaching and research at Dalhousie through the involvement of the university community in international development activities, and to advance public awareness and understanding of international development issues and Canada’s role in international development activities.
In 1994, LPI’s mandate was expanded to include support for a broader range of activities which help to internationalize the university, adding to its original role of support and guardianship of externally-financed international programs and projects at Dalhousie.
In 2009, Lester Pearson International became International Research & Development (IR&D). This change is part of a larger initiative to streamline, integrate and improve the provision of services to researchers within the university community. IR&D is now one of the component units of the newly-created Dalhousie Research Services.