This unit provides secretarial services and administrative management to the Directorate and Subdirectorate.

The Science Communication and Culture Unit, part of the Director's support team, is responsible for communicating to the public and media the scientific and technological activities of the IAC. It handles the promotion of the Observatorios de Canarias both nationally and internationally, communication to the media of the scientific and technical results via the web and social networks. It provides coverage of special events, printed and audiovisual matter, internal communications, the IAC brand, scientific and technical outreach at all levels, the training of specialized communicators and journalists, the training of secondary level teachers, outreach specifically aimed at Canarian society, collaborations with the the Science and Cosmos Museum, and cross-disciplinary projects combining astronomy with other areas of science.

The Institutional Projects and Technology Transfer Unit of the IAC contributes to the transfer of the scientific and technological capabilities of the centre. It acts as a support unit for the management of the I+D+i activities of the IAC, including its external funding, and plays an prominent role with regard to certain institutional projects that the IAC maintains both nationally and internationally for the development of large scientific infrastructures, promotion the Observatories, and the highest level of coordination with the European scientific and technological communities. Similarly, the Unit acts as a point of contact with research centres, firms, and other public and private entities involved in I+D+i and its funding in all those areas related to external technological support services, and technological development, analysis, and assessment of projects developed within the IAC.

The goal of the SIC is to tend to the computing needs of each division at Central Headquarters by defining computer standards, developing projects to improve infrastructure, studying advances in computer and communications technology and their applications within the IAC, guaranteeing the correct functioning of systems installed, and ensuring that computer security and privacy are maintained in accordance with the Computer Ethics Code. The SIC comprises the following groups/units, each headed by a Technical Supwervisor: Operations and User Attention Centre (CAU), Analysis and Development Group (GAD), Systems and Communications Group (GSC), and Secretariat.

This unit is responsible for the correct working of the telescopic installations of the IAC at the Observatorios de Canarias; it also tends to the maintenance of IAC instrumentation and supervision of the allocation of observing time on other telescopes. There are three kinds of installations: Instruments, Telescopes, and Experiments (ITE). The unit is staffed by a head, support astronomers, and telescope operators.

The Unit's main objective is the continuous characterization and preservation of the astronomical conditions of the Observatorios de Canarias. It provides continually updated information to enable maximum possible advantage to be taken of the exceptional astronomical sky quality . It also ensures adequate communication internationally of these features of the Observatorios de Canarias .

The Unit was created to expedite the application of the Sky Law (Law 31/1988), which protects the astronomical quality of the skies above the Observatorios de Canarias from light and radioelectric contamination, atmospheric pollution, and flights above the Observatories. On the basis of the precepts of the Sky Law, the OTPC prepares technical reports for illumination and radioelectric station projects, and certifies lighting installations.

Location: Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). Area: 50 hectares. Altitude: 2390 m. Geographical coordinates: Longitude: 16º 30´ 35" West. Latitude: 28º 18´ 00" North. At an altitude of 2390 m, in a location where the municipal boundaries of La Oratava, Fasnia, and Güímar meet. Its geographical situation, combined with the transparency and excellent astronomical quality of its sky, have led to Teide Observatory being dedicated primarily to the study of the Sun, the best European solar telescopes being located there. It also hostes the largest collection of robotic telescopes in the world.

Location: La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain). Area: 189 hectares. Altitude: 2396 m. Geographical coordinates of the GTC: Longitude: 17º 53 ´ 33" West. Latitude: 28º 45´ 25" North. At Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM), on the rim of the Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente, at a height of 2396 m, in the municipality of Garafía, is to be found one of the most extensive arrays of telescopes in the world. The Observatory is ideal for both nocturnal observations and solar physics. It also hosts high energy astrophysics experiments.

Research activity is divided into research projects that currently follow six thematic lines of investigation, and that cover most fields (theoretical, observational, and instrumental) of astrophysics. The present lines of research at the IAC include: The Structure of the Universe and Cosmology, The Local Universe, Stellar Physics, Planetary Systems and the Interstellar Medium, The Sun and the Solar System, and Instrumentation and Space. Each project is directed and managed by a Principal Investigator (PI), and formally unites the work of pre- and postdoctoral researchers.

Management's mission is to provide support to the Head of Research, who gives instructions on the management and internal running of the Division. The Research Manager supervises the Research Secretariat, the Specific Software Services , the Multimedia Service, and the Scientific Editorial Service.

The training of predoctoral staff is one of theIAC's most important tasks. Predoctoral staff come from both local and national programmes, and also from within the IAC's own programmes.

Its task is to provide administrative support to the Division in general and more specifically to the Head of Instrumentation, department heads, and project management

Production manages the mechanical and electronic manufacturing means and the related support services. Production comprises the following units: the Electronics Workshop, the Mechanics Workshop, the Dimensional Metrology Laboratory, the Technical Drawing Office and the division's Software Specific Services. The Assembly, Integration and Verification Laboratory is also managed by the Production unit.

It designs and develops mechanical systems for astronomical instruments, mainly post-focus, such as visible and infrared cameras, spectrographs and telescopes. The department has experience in calculating and designing mechanisms, structures, cryogenic and optomechanics systems, and also in numerical modelling, finite element analysis, fabrication techniques, quality control and integrating and testing mechanical systems. The Department manages the CAD laboratory and the Mechanical Integration and Verification Laboratory.

The Projects Department is dedicated to the management and systems engineering activities of the division's instrumental projects. Within the matrix structure of the division, the personnel of this department coordinates the work of the human and material resources assigned temporarily to the different projects to achieve the fulfilment of their objectives.

The Department of Electronics is dedicated to the design and development of electronic systems in general, especially oriented towards scientific instruments. More specifically, digital and analogue systems are designed for the control of devices and for the acquisition and data processing in real time. Devices for reading, processing, control and characterization of detectors are also designed, as well as closed loop control systems. The Department manages the Electronics and Electromagnetic Compatibility laboratories as well as the Image and Sensors Laboratory for Astronomy and the Environmental Test Chamber.

The purpose of the Software Department is to develop computer applications for astrophysical instrumentation. Its main task is to develop distributed systems for the real time control of mechanisms, instruments, and systems, as well as for the acquisition, processing, and analysis of data.

The Optics Department handles the design and development of optical systems for telescopes and astronomical instrumentation in both the visible and infrared wavelength ranges. It specializes in the specification, design, assembly, integration, and verification of optical systems, including the design and characterization of systems based on fibre optics. The Department has its own specialized equipment and manages the Optics, Fibre Optics, and Optical Surfacing Laboratories.

It is formed by the Personnel, Selection and Contracts, and Hazard Avoidance in the Workplace units. It also manages various policies relating to Human Resources, such as Training and Equality.

Its purpose is to provide general secretarial support to the General Services Administration Unit and to the General Administrator in particular. It oversees the General Registry of the IAC, as well as the Electronic Headquarters and the Transparency Portal.

It administers the General Registry of the IAC (GEISER 5641) in accordance with Law 39/2015 of 1 October concerning the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations. It comprises all the IAC's official entries and emissions of requests, written documents, and communications. It provides assistance to persons approaching the Office for the presentation of documentation destined for the IAC or any national Public Administration. Similarly, it serves as a registry for the emission of electronic certificates of the Fábrica Nacional de la Moneda y Timbre (Spain's Mint) for both public employees and physical persons.

This entity handles the administrative and budgetary management of accounts, finances, and economic matters. It also provides support to the general activities of the IAC. In order to perform its duties, it is structured into specific units: Accounts-Treasury, External Funding, and Purchases and Administrative Contracts.

This unit manages external services and supplies; the coordination of works and new installations; repair services; the maintenance of buildings, their installations, and equipment; vehicle maintenance; environmental and energy management; dealing with local and regional administrations within its area of compentence, and emergency procedures in Central Headquarters.