The New Netherland Project's primary objective is to complete the transcription, translation, and publication of all Dutch documents in New York repositories relating to the seventeenth-century colony of New Netherland. Located since its inception in the New York State Library, the Project continues as a major activity of the New Netherland Research Center (news of the opening). The Center also includes a dedicated reading room for the use of scholars and the public to peruse the Library's extensive holdings of New Netherland materials.

     The New Netherland Institute seeks to increase public awareness of the work of the New Netherland Research Center and supports the Center through fund raising. The Institute assists authors of scholarly and popular material;  disseminates information to educators, researchers, historians, curators, genealogists, and anthropologists; develops collaborations with academic institutions and other organizations interested in early American history; provides learning opportunities, such as internships, as well as research and consulting services pertaining to New Netherland; and sponsors activities related to the work of the New Netherland Research Center.