The Scientific Council of the Astronomical Institute was newly elected (in agreement with the statute of the Academy of Sciences and the Law on the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic) in June 2002, by the Assembly of Research Fellows of the Institute (i.e. by the members of research departments with university education, appointed to a research position). In addition to the rules laid down by the statute of the Academy, the Assembly of Research Fellows decided to elect one deputy to the Scientific Council in each scientific department to ensure the Council better contacts with all fields of research, and to avoid putting small departments at a disadvantage. 

  The main task of the Scientific Council consists in formulating the primary scientific goals of the Institute and in discussing its activities, organization and development. The Scientific Council also has other duties such as the selection of the Director of the Institute, delegating candidates for the Scientific Council of the Academy of Sciences etc.