Mission

The Bial Foundation was created in 1994 and its main objective is to encourage the scientific study of Man, from both the physical and spiritual perspectives, by honouring, supporting and promoting the work and efforts of all those who seek out new paths along the route of Research, Science and Knowledge.

Classified as an institution of public utility by the Portuguese Government, the Bial Foundation includes among its patrons the Portuguese President, the Portuguese Universities Rectors' Council and the Portuguese Medical Association.

The Foundation channels its encouragement for scientific research in the area of Health through two separate routes: the biannual Bial Award, one of the most important awards in the Health field in Europe, and its Scientific Research Grants, which support or have supported, through scholarship grants, several hundred researchers in the Health field in many countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, United States of America, France, Iceland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Russia and Sweden.

In order to encourage dialogue and a debate of ideas between its scholarship students and the scientific community, every two years the Bial Foundation organises a symposium entitled "Behind and beyond the brain".