Founded in 1938, the Estonian Academy of Sciences is a classic personal academy that relies on the intellectual power of its elected members.

The Estonian Academy of Sciences is an association of top-level scholars and artists with commitment and responsibility to advance research and represent Estonian science nationally and internationally.

The primary mission is to assist in building a knowledge-based society, fostering adaptation of new knowledge for economic growth and improvement of the quality of life in Estonia. The Academy not only promotes frontier science but also routinely counsels the Parliament, the Government of the Republic, and the state institutions.

The Academy has the mandate of representing Estonian science in international councils and advisory bodies such as International Science Council (ISC), InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the federation of All European Academies (ALLEA), European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) or the European Marine Board, and serves as Bridgehead Organization of EURAXESS. The Academy served as the chair of the European Science Advisors' Forum (ESAF) from 2020 to 2023. Additionally, it has been leading the European ISC Members since November 1, 2021.

The publishing house of Academy is the leading publisher of international peer-reviewed journals in Estonia. The current portfolio involves unique journal of oil shale research and covers all key areas of contemporary science as well as the research addressing the core of Estonian culture and history. Both the current and past editions of the yearbook may be found on the academy's website.