February 26, 2008 - The Canada Gairdner International Awards

The Gairdner International Awards, first given in 1958 through the generosity of the late James Arthur Gairdner of Toronto, are one of the three most prestigious awards in medical science, along with the Swedish Nobel Prize in Medicine and the American Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards. The Gairdner Foundation also promotes and diffuses scientific achievement by connecting award winners with Canadian scientists, and inspires Canadian youth across the country through scientific symposia and outreach events.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gairdner International Awards and promote exceptional achievement in health research, Budget 2008 provides the Gairdner Foundation with a $20-million endowment in 2007-08. This endowment will allow the Gairdner Foundation to enhance its awards and expand its outreach activities. Recognizing the significant endowment from the Government of Canada, the Foundation will rename its awards the Canada Gairdner International Awards, helping to brand Canada internationally as a global leader in health research.