The Canada Gairdner International Awards

Eligibility

A nominee for this award:

• Is an exceptional, research-focused scientific investigator who has transformed the understanding of human biology and disease
• Has produced a distinct body of scientific research contributions, rather than a cumulative lifetime of work
• Can be co-nominated with equal contributors to the body of work or those who have made parallel discoveries.

Summary

The Canada Gairdner International Award recognizes outstanding researchers whose unique scientific contributions have increased the understanding of human biology and disease.

The Gairdner Foundation invites the scientific community to nominate qualified researchers for this Award. Nominations in the field of translational research are welcome. The award is intended for seminal bodies of work, not cumulative lifetime achievement.

 Nomination Elements 

NOMINEE DETAILS: Contact and basic professional information 

CITATION (Max. 150 words): 1-2 sentence statement identifying nominee's distinct body of research. 

RESEARCH SUMMARY (Max. 1000 words): Summary of nominee's nominated scientific body of work 

TOP FIVE: Top 5 publications related to the research summary, with a brief summary of the impact/importance 

SHORT CV: 10-20 pages 

NOMINEE IN CONTEXT (Max. 1000 words): Contextualize the nominee's body of work, including: 

• Impact on the trajectory or foundational understanding of their field, 
• Other significant contributors or potential co-nominees for the work highlighted in the nomination 
• Clarification of their individual contributions within collaborative projects and publications. 

LETTERS OF EVALUATION (3-5 letters, 2-3 pgs): Letter writers should be familiar with the field, be able to provide objective evaluations of the candidate and their body of work, not just an endorsement, and should represent a range of stakeholders in the nominee’s professional sphere.

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

Quality nominations are essential to the evaluation process. Packages should be accurate, current, and complete throughout the five year period of consideration. The nomination portal is open each year from mid-April – October 1 for edits, changes or additions by nominators. 

Live online information and Q&A sessions are available May-September for those interested in the award and nomination.   Please register for a session here or connect with Sarah Devonshire.