The UNU-BIOLAC Programme operates under the authority of the UNU Rector. The Rector acts both as the University’s chief academic and as the administrative officer.

UNU-BIOLAC personnel comprise a programme coordinator, a programme advisor, a senior programme assistant, and a junior programme assistant.

The coordinator is responsible for the general direction, organisation and management of the programme and the assessment of different academic proposals and fellowship candidates, as well as setting guidelines to follow the ever-changing needs of the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region and the latest developments in biotechnology.

The advisor helps the coordinator stay informed on new developments in biotechnology and helps align programme stretegies. The advisor and the coordinator work under the regulations and norms of the United Nations and under norms and rules of other UN family members, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The programme coordinator is guided by the UNU-BIOLAC Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), which is made up of four academic researchers. SAC membership aims to represent a diverse mix of countries from the LAC region, and academic expertise that aligns with UNU-BIOLAC priority areas. The SAC and the programme coordinator together provide the guidance for programme development and ensure training is conducted in line with the programme mission. The SAC meets once a year to review the conceptual and substantial approach of the programme activities, but maintains regular e-communication throughout the year.

The UNU-BIOLAC academic community is a network of researchers and institutions that are members of the programme under several cooperative agreements. The members of this academic network coordinate the research and training projects, carry out training activities, and are tutors of research and training internships. Association with the programme is temporary and depends on the specific tasks and duration of a project.

The UNU-BIOLAC office is hosted by the Venezuelan Government through the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, at the premises of the Instituto de Estudios Avanzados (IDEA) — a major scientific and technological hub in Caracas near the main campus of Simon Bolivar University.