The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is a public corporation created by the Parliament of Canada in 1970 to help developing countries use science and technology to find practical, long-term solutions to the social, economic, and environmental problems they face. Support is directed toward developing an indigenous research capacity to sustain policies and technologies that developing countries need to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.

Ottawa, Ontario

The Board of Governors is composed of:

• a President appointed by GiC on the recommendation of the Board, to hold office during pleasure, for a term not exceeding 5 years, who is eligible for reappointment in the same or another capacity;
• a Chairman, appointed by GiC to hold office during pleasure for a term not exceeding 5 years, who is eligible for reappointment in the same or another capacity; and
• not more than nineteen governors appointed by GiC to hold office during pleasure for a term not exceeding four years as will ensure as far as possible the expiration in any one year of the terms of appointment of fewer than half of the governors, who are eligible for reappointment in the same or another capacity.

The Board elects one governor to be Vice-Chairman.

In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chairman, or if the office of Chairman is vacant, the Vice-Chairman of the Board has all the duties and may perform all the functions of the Chairman.

In the event of the absence or incapacity of the President, or if the office of President is vacant, the Board may authorize an officer of the Center to act as President, but no person so authorized shall act as President for a period exceeding sixty days without the approval of the GiC.

The GiC may, on such terms and conditions as the GiC may prescribe, appoint a temporary substitute governor if a governor, other than the Chairman or President, is unable to perform the duties of his/her office.

Where the office of a governor becomes vacant during the term of the governor appointed thereto, the GiC may appoint a person to that office for the remainder of that term.

At least eleven governors must have experience in the field of international development or experience or training in the natural or social sciences or technology.

The Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and nine governors must be Canadian citizens.

Two of the governors who are Canadian citizens, other than the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman, may be appointed from among the members of the Senate or the House of Commons.

The Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and nine other governors must be Canadian citizens. At least eleven of the governors must have experience in the field of international development or experience or training in the natural or social sciences or technology. Two of the governors who are Canadian citizens, other than the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman, may be appointed from among the members of the Senate or the House of Commons.

Seven governors including at least five governors who are Canadian Citizens or more than seven of the governors including a majority who are Canadian citizens.

By virtue of section 21 of the International Development Research Centre Act, the Auditor General is the auditor of the Centre.