Advancing the Neuroscience of Values and Beliefs: The Brain and Belief Center Initiative

The Brain and Belief Center is a virtual research institute ​collaboratively envisioned by the D’Or Institute for Research and Education – IDOR (Brazil), The Center for Affective Disorders at King’s College London (UK), and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (USA) with the support of the IDOR – Pioneer Science Initiative. 

The center brings together world-leading expertise in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and neuropsychiatry to investigate how values and beliefs are formed, maintained, and transformed in the human brain, and how they shape moral reasoning, social behavior and mental health. 

By integrating complementary strengths from each institution, we foster an innovative environment to address underexplored yet fundamental aspects of human life — including religious cognition, affective disorders, affiliative behavior and cultural influences on values and beliefs. 

Sponsor of the Brain and Belief Center

IDOR - Pioneer Science Initiative

Pioneer Science is an independent, non-profit initiative by the D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR) that aims to invest R$ 500 million over ten years in frontier science development in Brazil, focusing on biomedical, health, and exact sciences. Created by the Moll family, founders of D’Or São Luiz Network, it promotes “maverick science” — bold scientific thinking that challenges dogmas, explores knowledge fields. Key actions include funding frontier research through partnerships, developing scientific infrastructure, and investing in education to train Brazilian scientists. The initiative combines financial independence with institutional connections, amplifying research, education, and healthcare impacts while accelerating progress.