Founded in 1978, the Gansu Academy of Sciences is a provincial-level government-affiliated public institution. Since its inception, the Academy has undertaken and completed  more than 1,200 key research projects at the national, provincial and ministerial levels, as well as international cooperation projects, achieving over 900 scientific research results, of which 120 have won national and local science and technology progress awards, making positive contributions to the economic and social development of Gansu Province.

The Academy currently has a staff of 547, including 43 with senior professional titles, 88 with associate senior professional titles, 70 PhDs, and 152 masters. It comprises six specialized research institutes focusing on natural energy, biology, geological and natural disaster prevention, sensor technology, automation, magnetic equipment, as well as one documentation and information center, one logistics service center, and one experimental factory. The internal administrative organ encompasses seven functional departments. The Academy also houses nine provincial-level engineering technology research centers and key laboratories, two provincial-level industry technology centers, and one provincial-level indoor environmental quality monitoring center.

The academic structure and program offerings closely align with the domestic priority areas of development, including new energy, biotechnology, information technology, new materials, and high-end equipment manufacturing technology, fostering disciplinary strengths with local characteristics. Its knowledge and technological innovations are domestically advanced or leading, and some fields also have a certain international influence.