The SPE awards the Vítor Almada Prize for the best oral communication presented by a student at each annual Congress. This prize consists of prize money that helps the winner to participate in an international conference on ethology, with the aim of promoting the internationalisation of the best examples of student work.

The Vítor Almada Award also honours one of the greatest Portuguese ethologists, who had a fundamental role in the development of Ethology in Portugal and the formation of its scientific community.