In this communication, we report the design, development, calibration, and characterization of a fluorescence spectroscopy instrument capable of measuring time-resolved fluorescence spectra from 350nm to 800nm with subnanosecond resolution. The compact system can be used in a variety of clinical setting including endoscopic procedures. The instrument can accomodate various types of laser sources and fiber optic probes for different types of applications. The typical acquisition time is about 0.8 s per wavelength or 40 s for a 200 nm time-resolvent fluorescence spectrum including online fluorescence lifetime analysis. The system has a variable spectral resolution from 0.1 to 10 nm and temporal resolution of 300 ps. Fluorescence spectra can be acquired with a sensitivity of 10-9M at signal-to-noise ratio of 46. The fluorescence lifetimes of Rhodamin B and 9- cyanoanthracene were determined to be 2.92±0.12 ns and 12.28±0.12 ns indicating good agreement with literature values.