The general and overarching objective of the Academy of Athens is the cultivation and advancement of the Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts, along with the communications of the Foundation and its members with other academies and fellow academicians.

In fulfillment of its objectives, the Academy conducts scientific research projects and studies in the areas of agriculture, industry, shipping and national economy. Furthermore, it issues consultations, proposals, and it adopts decisions and judgements for the instruction and guidance of the bodies and authorities of the state. In the context of the objective of the Academy of Athens, its members make scientific announcements, participate in scientific conferences and international research projects and carry out publications. Furthermore, the Academy grants scholarships and confers awards.

Currently, there are 23 research centers and offices in operation. The Academy's latest major contribution to research is the establishment of the Foundation of Medical and Biological Research.

On numerous occasions the Academy of Athens has rendered its services to the Greek state through its expert opinion and proposals. Usually on issues of major national importance. Education and fiscal policy. Since its establishment, the Academy of Athens has been a member of the International Union of Academies and of the International Union of Scientific Unions. On March 24th, 1926 the Presiding Board of the Academy of Athens took over the building of he so-called "Sinaea Academy." On the following day, March 25th, in a clear reference to the anniversary of Greece's National Regeneration, the celebratory inaugural session of the Academy's Plenum took place. In the course of this session, the Minister of Education, the Academician Dimitrios Aeginitis, stamped the Academy of Athens to its future objective and the means to be used for its realization.

In the time spanning its establishment to the present day, the Academy of Athens has operated within the framework of its stated purpose both in the areas of scientific research and of the cultivation of Humanities and Fine Arts.

On numerous occasions, the Academy has intervened to international bodies on matters concerning culture, the environment, universal matters, national and human rights.

The best examples of such interventions are the condemning of the persecution of the Jews through the second world war, and the defense or the rights of the Cypriots for self determination. Moreover, during critical times for the Greek nation, for example, during the German occupation, or at times when the democratic institutions were suspended, for example, under the 1967 Dictatorship, The Academy of Athens fought to maintain its moral and spiritual independence.

The Academy of Athens proclaims every year awards that are emanated by requests or set-up grants and classified by subject of the Section of Sciences.

The Section of Letters and Fine Arts and the Section of Ethical and Political Sciences. The majority of the awards concern the writing of unpublished scientific studies or the submission of unpublished scientific works, always with a specific title. Those who are interested in claiming the Academy's awards should submit, from the beginning of the year to the 30th of April, an application and 5 copies of their study, acceding to the proclamation terms of the chosen award and the general terms ruling the proclaimed awards.

The evaluations of the candidates that were submitted for the proclaimed Academy's awards are made by a three-member committees during the period from October to December.

The awards ceremony is being held at the Festive Session of December every year. A printed edition that contains the sum of proclaimed awards and their general ruling terms is published every year by the Academy's Publications Office and is distributed and forwarded to those interested.

Finally, whether you are being considered for an award or recommending an award for someone else, be sure you give the Academy enough lead time. Their work is arduous through and sometimes exceedingly long. The Academy of Athens is among the world's best.