IASC was established in 1990, began operations in 1991 and today comprises 18 member countries. The IASC member organisations are national science organisations covering all fields of Arctic research. Each national member organisation has a mechanism to provide ongoing contact between its IASC council member and its Arctic science community.

IASC draws on this structure to identify scientific priorities, members of working groups, etc. An international science programme planned or recommended by IASC should be of high priority to Arctic or global science.

The organisational needs of IASC are served by the IASC Secretariat, located in Stockholm, Sweden.

IASC is an international associate of the International Council for Science, ICSU, and an observer in the Arctic Council. IASC also has connections to numerous international Arctic organisations.