The Jose Miguel de Barandiaran Foundation was set up by Mr. José Miguel de Barandiarán and Eusko Ikaskuntza-Basque Studies Society, in June 1988. It is governed by a Board, and is sponsored by the Basque Government, the Government of Navarre, and the Statutory Diputations (provincial governments) of Alava, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa.

The objectives of this Foundation are to study the life of José Miguel de Barandiarán, his thoughts and his contributions to science and culture, disseminating his work in all fields; gathering both his published and unpublished scientific production, promoting a painstakingly analytical edition of his works, and continue the research initiated and carried out by José Miguel de Barandiarán mainly in the fields of prehistory, archaeology, anthropology and ethnography, by means of research programs and scholarships, and by means of courses, seminars, conferences and other analogous activities, and publishing the results of the research promoted by the Foundation.