The Canadian Gairdner Award honors the world’s best global health and biomedical researchers through seven annual awards The Canada Gairdner Awards.
The Gairdner Foundation was established in 1957 with the primary goal of recognizing and rewarding international excellence in fundamental research that impacts human health. Annually, seven awards are given: five Canadian Gairdner International Awards for biomedical research, a John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award, specifically for its impact on global health issues, and a Canadian Gairdner Wightman Award, reserved for a Canadian.
395 awards have been awarded to laureates from 35 countries, and of those laureates, 92 have received Nobel prizes.
The Gairdner Foundation also participates in outreach programs across Canada and acts as a coordinator with the public, legislators and other stakeholders on the impact of science on our everyday lives.
Striving to reward scientific excellence and inspire those who follow, Gairdner embraces diverse perspectives on research and encourages the nomination of outstanding scientists regardless of their background. They invite the community to join us in this effort by nominating outstanding scientists from diverse backgrounds, including those who are underrepresented in scientific awards and in the research community at large, based on the quality and impact of their research. Throughout all activities associated with the Canada Gairdner Awards program and associated Canadian and global outreach programs, Gairdner strives to engage and promote the active participation of people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.