FoxLab is a new scientific initiative jointly operated by the National Research Council of Italy (C.N.R.) and the FEM. It builds on a strategic convergence of several CNR institutes (I.V.A.L.S.A., I.B.I.M.E.T., I.P.P., I.B.A.F., I.G.V.) dealing with biometeorology, ecosystem science, forest genetics, tree pathology, soil ecology and wood science and operates via a number of externally funded projects that are assisted by seed and core funding mostly provided by FEM.

The long-term mission of FoxLab is to "integrate knowledge, infrastructures and expertises of the different institutions associated" to pave the way for at the creation of a major forest and wood science organization with natina and international perspectives. At present, FoxLab coordinates the EuroChar Project (2011-2013) which is funded by the 7th FP (Environment and Climate Change) and that is addressing important aspects of innovative mitigation strategies in the agricultural and forest sector through C-sequestration in soils. It also participates in the EXPEER infrastructural initiative (7th FP - Infrastruture Programme) where is responsible for the management and implementation of the Trans-National access of researchers to more than 30 ecosystem manipulation sites, in vitro and in-silico facilities for ecosystem science, throughout Europe. It is also involved in the Castanea Project, funded by the Italian Ministry of research and Education in the frame of the FIRB-Young initiative that is sponsoring the implementation of ERC-Young projects that were shortlisted but not funded in by the EU-Commission in 2009. Recently FoxLab has been part of the project TREES4FUTURE also focussed on Trans-National Access.

FoxLab also operates in developing countries where is involved in ACP actions to reduce deforestation of western African countries, by means of the introduction of novel technologies for energy produion in rural communities of Ghana, Sierra Leone and Togo. A core group of scientists operated at FoxLab and is currently engaged in the launch of global initiatives that may receive the support of the IGBP-GCP (Global Carbon Project) for the creation of a global network on soil Carbon, involving standardization of analytical methods and harmonization of national inventories and databases. FoxLab external funding in 2011 exceeds 1M€ including the support received by public and private organizations, including the Province of Trento.