Under Belgium law, the International Academy of Education is governed by a Board of Directors who serve for renewable three–year terms. The founding members represented scholars from Belgium, Germany, Japan, Sweden and the United States. The Academy is now expanding and has elected approximately 60 Fellows to membership, including scholars from many parts of the world including developing countries. The Board of Directors or the general assembly of Fellows decides the general policy and approves specific projects to be undertaken or sponsored in the name of the Academy.

The Board elects a Chairman from its members for a three–year renewable term and appoints an Executive Director for a five–year renewable term. A three–person Standing Committee is authorized to make decisions between board meetings within the overall policy determined by the Board. They also appoint staff and consultants, and make decisions concerning expenditures within the limits of the budget set by the Board. As well, the Board appoints scholars to serve on task forces for specific projects.