CIFAR is headed by a core group consisting of Center Director, Professor Søren Rysgaard, three additional senior core members from Aarhus University: Professor Tenna Riis, Professor Peter Grønkjær and Associate Professor Brian K. Sorrell and a junior core member: Assistant Professor Johnna Holding also from Aarhus University.

All activities in CIFAR are centered on four focus areas: Each focus area consist of two research themes. Each theme is led by a core member and with co-lead from other core members with relevant expertise. Theme leads and co-leads supervise PhD and Postdocs associated with the research theme. CIFAR has 11 international associates, who will collaborate on research, and take part in bidirectional exchanges of senior staff and early-career researchers. The center is supported by a group of administrative, research and technical staff members.