Canada Gairdner International Award

Nominations Deadline: 11:59 PM PDT on October 1, 2025
Date Published: August 18, 2025

🏆 About the Canada Gairdner International Award

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

The award is intended for seminal bodies of work, not cumulative lifetime achievements. Nominations in the field of translational research are highly encouraged.

Key Points:

• Sponsor Organization: Gairdner Foundation
• Nomination Portal: Open annually from mid-April to October 1 for edits, changes, or additions by nominators.
• Live Information Sessions: Available from May to September for those interested in the award and nomination process.
  • Register for a session
  • Contact: Sarah Devonshire

A video presentation on the awards and nomination process is also available here.

🎁 Benefits of the Award

Winners of the Canada Gairdner International Award receive:

• $250,000 CAD prize
• Award citation and medal
• Participation in Gairdner Week events and the annual Awards Gala in late October
• Opportunities to present and celebrate their awarded work

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Nominees must:

• Be exceptional, research-focused scientific investigators who have transformed the understanding of human biology and disease.
• Have produced a distinct body of scientific research contributions, rather than a cumulative lifetime of work.
• Be co-nominated with equal contributors to the body of work or those who have made parallel discoveries.

📋 Application Process

Nomination Elements:

1. Nominee Details: Contact and basic professional information.
2. Citation (Max. 150 words): A 1-2 sentence statement identifying the nominee's distinct body of research.
3. Research Summary (Max. 1000 words): Summary of the nominee's nominated scientific body of work.
4. Top Five Publications:
   • Top 5 publications related to the research summary.
   • Include a brief summary of their impact/importance.
5. Short CV: 10-20 pages.
6. Nominee in Context (Max. 1000 words):
   • 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.
7. Letters of Evaluation (3-5 letters, 2-3 pages each):
   • Letters should provide objective evaluations of the candidate and their body of work.
   • Writers should represent a range of stakeholders in the nominee's professional sphere.

For detailed guidelines, download the award nomination guide.

Application Portal:

• View details of the award here.
• Submit nominations here.

📅 Important Dates

• Nomination Deadline: October 1, 2025
• Live Information Sessions: May-September 2025

For further inquiries, contact Sarah Devonshire at sarah@gairdner.org.

• International Award winners receive a $250,000 prize, award citation, and medal.
• They take part in Gardner Week events and the annual Awards Gala in late October of each year, presenting and celebrating their awarded work.