The association without lucrative purpose "The Royal Academies for Science and the Arts of Belgium" was founded by the Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux-Arts de Belgique (ARB) and the Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België voor Wetenschappen en Kunsten ( KVAB) in 2001. The association is headquartered in the former stables of the Palace of the Academies in Brussels.

The Royal Academies was founded by empress Maria-Theresia in the 18th century, with the aim of promoting the science and art in Belgium. To meet this demand, the Academies organise scientific and cultural activities, they try to stimulate cooperation between universities in Belgium, they assure Belgian representation in international organisations and forums, they attract foreign researchers, they give recommendations and advice to government-, industry-, education- and research-institutions and they give prizes to talented researchers and artists.

For all these initiatives, the Academies can count on their members, eminent representatives from the scientific, industrial and cultural scene, the committee and the secretariat.

RASAB is responsible for coordinating the activities carried out at national as well as international level by both Academies, such as the National scientific Committees and the representation of Belgium in international scientific organisations like IAP, EASAC and ALLEA.