As　a　kind　of　important　light　alloys,　the　Al　alloys　exhibit　mechanical　properties　that　are　closely　related　to　the　microstructures.　Changing　the　main　alloying　elements　and　adjusting　heat　treatments　are　usually　approaches　to　tune　the　microstructure　and　hence　artificially　control　the　mechanical　properties.　However,　the　windows　for　the　two　approaches　have　become　quite　narrow,　after　extensive　studies　in　the　last　half　of　century.　Microalloying　has　become　the　most　promising　strategy　to　further　modify　the　microstructure　and　improve　the　mechanical　properties　of　Al　alloys,　among　which　the　element　of　scandium　(Sc)　is　especially　powerful.　In　this　paper,　the　recent　progresses　in　Al　alloys　microalloyed　with　Sc　are　briefly　reviewed,　focusing　on　the　microstructural　characterization,　strengthening　response,　and　underlying　mechanisms.　The　possible　key　research　points　are　also　proposed　for　the　further　development　of　Al　alloys　microalloyed　with　Sc　and　other　rare　earth　elements.　©　2020,　The　Nonferrous　Metals　Society　of　China　and　Springer-Verlag　GmbH　Germany,　part　of　Springer　Nature.