In July 1994, the Council of Academicians advised Academia Sinica to establish research institutions corresponding to established social sciences. In October 1999, a planning commission for the Institute of Political Science at Academia Sinica (IPSAS) was set up, followed by an academic consultative group. The consultative group came up with a formal proposal that was ratified by the Academy and later approved by the Presidential Office in March 2001. The Preparation Office of the IPSAS was founded in August. Professor Yu-Shan Wu is the Director. The IPSAS's Academic Consultative Committee is chaired by Academician Hu Fu.