The organization was formed in Toronto as the Canadian Institute on June 20, 1849, by Sandford Fleming, Kivas Tully, and Hamilton Hartley Killaly.
[3] It was conceived of originally as an organization for surveyors, civil engineers, and architects practising in and about Toronto, Ontario.
A royal charter was granted on November 4, 1851, in which the objects of the organization are declared to be "the encouragement and general advancement of the physical sciences, the arts and the manufactures".
Since 2018, RCIScience has published an annual magazine for the public, featuring interviews and articles with scientists across Canada.
[10] It is presented to an organization operating in Canada that demonstrates continued passion, aptitude and expertise in science communication to the public.