The Chengdu Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was founded as the Sichuan Branch of CAS in 1958 and assumed its current name in 1978. The Chengdu Branch is an administrative organ that coordinates the activities of CAS institutes and affiliated companies in Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality, and liaisons with governmental bodies and other organizations in the region.

The organizations within the purview of the Chengdu Branch include the Institute of Optics and Electronics,the Chengdu Institute of Biology, the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, the Chengdu Literature Information Center, Chengdu Organic Chemicals Co., Ltd., Chengdu Information Technology Co., Ltd., and Chengdu Zhongke Weishi Instrument Co., Ltd.

The research subjects covered by the institutes include optics, optical engineering, electronic technology, information processing technology, instrument technology, machinery manufacturing automation, ecology, botany, zoology, microbiology, agronomy, pedology, plant protection, agricultural engineering, pharmacochemistry, geography, geology, photogrammetry and remote sensing, environmental engineering, organic chemistry Polymer chemistry, chemical reaction engineering, fine chemical engineering, organic polymer materials, artificial intelligence, computer application, library science, information science, etc.. Chengdu branch system has 32 key laboratories, engineering technology research centers and national major science and technology infrastructure, including 4 national platforms; There are 15 field scientific observation (monitoring) stations, including 3 National stations. Host 10 Chinese and English journals.

Up to now, the Chengdu Branch and its institutes had approximately 3,200 employees, including more than 2,300 scientists and technicians. Among them are two CAS members and two members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. There are 6 post doctoral mobile (work) stations, 26 doctoral degree authorization points, 32 academic master's degree authorization points and 14 professional master's degree authorization points.