[2] According its 2021-22 Annual Report, IDRC's parliamentary appropriation reflects 3% of Canada's international assistance envelope.

According to its Strategy 2030, IDRC's work currently focuses on the following five areas, aimed at contributing to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals: climate-resilient food systems; global health; education and science; democratic and inclusive governance; and sustainable inclusive economies.

[3] IDRC was established by the Parliament of Canada in 1970 under the International Development Research Centre Act, which directs IDRC "to initiate, encourage, support and conduct research into the problems of the developing regions of the world and into the means for applying and adapting scientific, technical, and other knowledge to the economic and social advancement of those regions.

"[4][5] IDRC's head office is located in Ottawa, Ontario, with regional offices located in Montevideo, Uruguay; Nairobi, Kenya; Dakar, Senegal; Amman, Jordan; New Delhi, India.

[4][6] IDRC is governed by a board of governors, whose chairperson reports to Parliament through the Minister of International Development.