The core mandate of the Gairdner Foundation is to select the annual Canada Gairdner International Award winners. Over the past 48 years, the Foundation has gained a superb international reputation through its international awards, for recognizing and rewarding early the work of the world's leading scientists. An external measure of their stature is the fact that of the 298 individuals from 13 countries, including 42 Canadians, who have received Gairdner Awards, 73 have subsequently gone on to win the Nobel Prize.

Its highly respected two-stage jury system is the basis of its excellent international reputation. The jury system, composed of the first stage Medical Review Panel (MRP) includes leading mid-career scientists from across Canada. The second stage Medical Advisory Board (MAB), which selects each year's awardees, is half Canadian and half international. All the adjudication is done on a voluntary basis, for which we are extremely grateful.

The second mandate of the Gairdner Foundation is to increase awareness of the value of health research, share the vision of excellence represented by the winners, and build the culture of science in Canada. The 10-day National Program is unique in the world of major prizes. Past and present Gairdner awardees travel to 15-18 universities across the country, from St. John's to Victoria, to lecture and meet with biomedical researchers, faculty, post-doctoral and graduate students, medical students, senior high school/CEGEP students and the public.

The Gairdner programs are aimed first and foremost at recognizing and celebrating excellence in the health sciences. They also create international research linkages, inspire young people to consider a career in the health sciences, and increase public awareness of the value of scientific research and discovery.