IPS is responsible for three major IDRC activities:

• IDRC Challenge Fund
  

• Research on Knowledge Systems (RoKS)
  Research on Knowledge Systems (RoKS) examines the ways in which knowledge is produced, communicated, and applied to development problems.

• Task Force on Biotechnology and Emerging Technologies
  The Task Force on Biotechnology and Emerging Technologies is examining how IDRC should approach biotech, new nanotechnologies and converging technologies.