The Bial Award was created in 1984 to encourage and promote highly influential works in the area of medical research. Since then the award has been granted every two years, enjoying the patronage and collaboration of the President of the Republic, the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities and the Portuguese Medical Association.
Recognising and distinguishing clinical research, the Bial Award established itself as one of the most prestigious awards in the area of health in Europe. Up to its edition of 2016, it has been establishing two prizes: the Bial Merit Award in Medical Sciences, designed to distinguish an intellectual written work, on any freely chosen medical topic, of high quality and scientific relevance; and the Prémio Bial de Medicina Clínica, designed to distinguish an intellectual written work, on any freely chosen medical topic, of high quality and relevance, on clinical practice. At least one of the authors must be a native physician of a Portuguese speaking country.
Throughout its various editions, this award, worth a global amount of 120 thousand Euro, has followed the evolution and trends within the field of medicine, having recognised several works in the fields of civilisation diseases, genetics, molecular medicine, imaging, substitutive and regenerative therapies, and many more.
Since its establishment, the Bial Award has considered 720 entries from 1853 researchers, doctors and scientists from 21 countries. In 21 editions, it has recognised 111 works by 316 authors, with more than 326,000 copies of 43 award-winning works having been published and distributed free of charge to health professionals.
Next Edition - 2026
The Prémio Bial de Medicina Clínica aims to recognise original intellectual work, with an associated clinical research component, which represents high-quality and relevant results. At least one of the authors must be a native physician of a Portuguese-speaking country.
Prémio Bial de Medicina Clínica | €100.000
Honourable Mentions (up to two) | €10.000
Read the regulation and start preparing your work now!
Message from the President of the JuryJaime Branco
“I encourage all colleagues who wish to do so to apply for the Prémio Bial de Medicina Clínica 2026. You still have a few months before submitting your work. That’s precisely why I’m reminding you: it’s time to prepare and finalise the work you intend to submit to this Award. Wishing you great work and the best of luck.”
Jury
President
Jaime Branco
Members
Miguel Castelo-Branco
Faculty of Health Sciences - U. Beira Interior
Helena Cortez-Pinto
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - U. Algarve
Henrique Cyrne Carvalho
Abel Salazar School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - U. Porto
Ricardo Fontes de Carvalho
Faculty of Medicine - U. Porto
Cristina Nogueira-Silva
School of Medicine - U. Minho
Roberto Palma dos Reis
Faculty of Medical Sciences | Nova Medical School - U. Nova de Lisboa
Isabel Palmeirim
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - U. Algarve
Isabel Santana
Faculty of Medicine - U. Coimbra