International Chair in Bioethics (ICB)

What International Chair in Bioethics (ICB) does

The International Chair in Bioethics (ICB) is a voluntary, non-profit international organization headquartered at the University of Porto, Portugal, that coordinates and stimulates a global network of bioethics and medical ethics education. Originally established on June 24, 2001 as a UNESCO Chair in Bioethics at the University of Haifa, Israel, ICB has since transitioned to an independent organization recognized as a World Medical Association (WMA) Cooperating Centre under a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding. Its core operating model is the establishment of self-managed Units within academic institutions on five continents — 263 units across 75 countries as of 2024 — connecting professionals who deliver bioethics training in schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, philosophy, psychology, psychiatry, and law.

ICB's product surface includes the International PhD Program on Global Bioethics (180 ECTS, operated with the University of Porto Faculty of Medicine and the Federal Council of Medicine of Brazil, with more than 300 PhD candidates supervised since 2007), the annual World Conference on Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law (16th edition in Brasilia 2024, 17th in Ljubljana 2025), the annual World Bioethics Day celebrated on October 19, the International Forum of Teachers webinar series, and the Carmi World Prize in Bioethics. Publications include the peer-reviewed Global Bioethics Enquiry journal, the Bioethical Voices monthly newsletter, white papers, and a digital library of monthly case studies. The underlying intellectual asset is the Osmosis Learning methodology, a teaching framework developed by founder Prof. Amnon Carmi with assistance from over 100 senior educators, designed to enable unconscious learning through listening, role play, debate, cinema, and street plays.

Monetization is limited and lightly disclosed. The PhD program charges monthly fees (amount listed as 'to be determined,' with up to 50% allowed to be used for student expenses), World Conferences charge registration fees, and the publication library generates book and journal revenue. Unit participation is offered at no membership fee, and the organization does not disclose revenue, funding, or financial statements. The customer base spans medical and academic institutions, healthcare professionals, graduate and medical students, and professional medical associations, served through a community-led go-to-market anchored by academic partnerships, an in-person conference circuit, and digital channels including a website, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, newsletter, and journal.

Name

International Chair in Bioethics (ICB)

Legal name

International Chair in Bioethics

Website

https://int-chair-bioethics.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Chair in Bioethics (ICB) is an independent non-profit organization headquartered at the University of Porto, Portugal, that coordinates a global network of 263 bioethics education units across 75 countries and delivers the International PhD Program on Global Bioethics, annual World Conferences, and the World Bioethics Day celebration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioethics and Medical Ethics Education

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Global Health Institutes & Programs (EDAHAGAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Clinical Research Ethics & Human Subjects Protection Authorities (IRB/REC Oversight) (HLAJACAG), Health, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Regulatory Cooperation (BPADANAJ)

Keywords

• Bioethics education
• Medical ethics training
• Professional health education
• Academic ethics research
• International ethics conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. PhD Program Fees: The PhD in Global Bioethics program organized by University of Porto with scientific support from ICB charges fees. Fee is paid monthly and up to 50% may be used by students to cover expenses.
2. Publication Sales: The organization publishes books on bioethics through its library, including books by the Chair, books by members, and books published by external bodies. Revenue may be generated through book distribution.
3. Conference Fees: World Conferences on Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law are organized regularly with registration fees for participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The International Chair in Bioethics (ICB) is a voluntary international non-profit organization that coordinates and stimulates bioethics and medical ethics education worldwide. It operates a global network of approximately 260–263 units established within academic institutions across five continents, delivers a PhD in Global Bioethics, organizes annual World Conferences on Bioethics, Medical Ethics and Health Law, publishes a peer-reviewed journal and supporting publications, runs the International Forum of Teachers (IFT) training programs, and coordinates the annual World Bioethics Day.

Product overview

The International Chair in Bioethics (ICB) is a voluntary international organization focused on coordinating and stimulating bioethics and medical ethics education worldwide. ICB operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture comprising: World Conferences as its flagship annual event; academic programs including a PhD in Global Bioethics; publications including the Global Bioethics Enquiry Journal, Bioethical Voices Newsletter, White Papers, and Monthly Cases; professional training via the International Forum of Teachers with webinar series; the Carmi World Prize in Bioethics; World Bioethics Day celebrations; and a global network of approximately 260 units in academic institutions. The organization, originally established under UNESCO in 2001 and now independent, serves as a WMA Cooperating Centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PhD in Global Bioethics Program International doctoral program in Global Bioethics, organized with the University of Porto and the Federal Council of Medicine (Brazil), comprising 180 ECTS (60 coursework, 120 thesis). It is targeted at doctoral students and professionals pursuing advanced academic credentials in bioethics, with monthly fees; over 300 PhD students have been supervised.
• World Conference on Bioethics, Medical Ethics & Health Law Annual international flagship conference bringing together professionals from medicine, law, ethics, and related fields to discuss bioethical issues, with paid registration and program participation open to academics, healthcare professionals, and students globally.
• International Forum of Teachers (IFT) Webinar Series A series of professional training webinars operated by the International Forum of Teachers (IFT) that provides practical tools and methods for teaching bioethics, targeted at educators and trainers in academic and healthcare institutions.
• Global Bioethics Enquiry Journal Peer-reviewed academic journal publishing reviews, original research papers, commentaries, and case studies in bioethics, indexed in multiple research databases, targeted at researchers, academics, and practitioners in bioethics.
• ICB Library Digital repository offering access to books published by the Chair, books authored by ICB members, external bioethics publications, reference materials, the Global Bioethics Enquiry journal archive, and monthly case studies for educators, researchers, and students.
• ICB Units Network Membership Institutional membership offering that allows universities, medical schools, and academic bodies to establish a local ICB unit, connecting them to the international network for bioethics education and curriculum development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 263 units operating across 75 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and historical.

• World Medical Association (WMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2021Active cooperation agreement signed between the Chair and the World Medical Association. The ICB is recognized as a WMA Cooperating Centre. A WMA Department exists within ICB to strengthen relationships with WMA management and members worldwide. WMA delegation participated in the 14th World Conference in Porto.
• IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students' Associations)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 October 2015IFMSA actively participates in World Bioethics Day celebrations alongside its associate medical associations worldwide. Coordinates student participation and releases planning milestones for member associations.
• University of Porto Faculty of MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Partnership for the International PhD Program on Bioethics since 2007. Prof. Rui Nunes organizes this program at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto. The program has directly supervised over 300 PhD students.
• Federal Council of Medicine (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Partner in the International PhD Program on Bioethics alongside University of Porto and ICB. Contributes to the program since 2007.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2001Original founding partner. On June 24th 2001, an agreement was signed by the Director-General of UNESCO and the Rector of the University of Haifa, Israel, establishing the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics at the International Center of Health, Law and Ethics. The agreement has since expired and the Chair became independent, though maintains recognition from UNESCO.
• University of HaifahistoricalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Original host institution for the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics at the International Center of Health, Law and Ethics. The Chair was originally established through agreement with the University of Haifa.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• UNESCO Bioethics Programme: UN agency programme that originally established and hosted the ICB as a UNESCO Chair in 2001. Continuing to operate in bioethics education and policy globally, with broader mandate and significantly larger institutional authority than ICB's independent operations.
• American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH): Large professional association for bioethicists and humanities scholars in the US, with annual conferences, certification, and networking. Comparable to ICB in professional bioethics convening and curriculum role, but operating primarily in a single country with a more professionalized structure.
• WHO Ethics and Governance Unit: WHO unit providing global guidance on ethical issues in health, including research ethics, equity, and emerging technologies. Comparable to ICB in international bioethics education and policy role, with vastly greater institutional resources and regulatory authority.
• European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE): Independent advisory body to the European Commission providing ethical guidance on science and technology policy. Comparable to ICB in international bioethics advisory role, with stronger institutional authority but narrower geographic remit.
• World Medical Association (WMA): International confederation of national medical associations representing physicians worldwide, which signed a cooperation agreement with ICB in 2021. Adjacent to ICB's mission with overlapping medical ethics focus but broader policy mandate and significantly larger institutional footprint.

Direct peers

• Nuffield Council on Bioethics: UK-based independent body that examines ethical questions raised by advances in biology and medicine, producing policy reports and convening stakeholders. Comparable to ICB in international bioethics convening and policy influence, though primarily UK-focused.
• International Association of Bioethics (IAB): International membership organization for bioethicists, organizing biennial World Congresses and promoting bioethics scholarship globally. Directly comparable to ICB in international bioethics networking and educational convening function.
• Kennedy Institute of Ethics (Georgetown University): One of the world's oldest and most established bioethics research institutes, focused on bioethics scholarship, education, and policy. Highly comparable to ICB in mission, educational focus, and global academic network, with a longer history and deeper policy influence.
• The Hastings Center: Independent non-profit bioethics research institute founded in 1969, conducting original research on bioethical issues and publishing extensively. Directly comparable to ICB as a non-profit bioethics organization with educational and research mission.

Emerging players

• International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA): International federation representing medical students globally, with active participation in World Bioethics Day events with ICB. Operates at the student segment ICB also targets, with comparable international reach but focused on broader medical student concerns beyond bioethics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL2gpBFLZkFvgwcxs_PrdSxitJt59iR0Ap
• Facebookfacebook.com/Internationalchairinbioethics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-chair-in-bioethics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Chair in Bioethics (ICB)