The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) is a Public Consortium, formed by the General Administration of the Spanish State, the Public Administration of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, the University of La Laguna (ULL), and Spain's Science Research Council (CSIC, after its Spanish initials). Its governing bodies are: the Governing Board  and the Director.

The IAC has legal personality and capacity to act for the fulfillment of the following purposes:

• Carry out and promote any type of astrophysical research or related to it, as well as develop and transfer its technology
• Disseminate astronomical knowledge, collaborate in specialized university teaching of astronomy and astrophysics and train scientific and technical personnel in all fields related to astrophysics
• Administer existing centers, observatories and astronomical installations and encourage relations with the national and international scientific community.

In this section of its website, the IAC offers citizens access to public information in compliance with Law 19/2013, on Transparency, Access to Public Information and Good Governance.