The Gairdner Foundation was created in 1957 by James Arthur Gairdner to recognize and reward the achievements of medical researchers whose work contributes significantly to improving the quality of human life. Since the first awards were made in 1959, the Gairdners have become Canada's foremost international award. They hold up the pinnacle of achievement as a mirror to Canadians, and in so doing, play a role in helping Canada achieve its goals of excellence.

The Gairdner Foundation is proud of its 49-year history on making international awards to the world's most creative and accomplished biomedical scientists. The awards recognize discoveries that have no specific agenda as to what field should be honoured in a specific year. We are also proud of the Wightman Award, which identifies for particular recognition Canadian leaders in medical science.

Scientists worldwide for their rigorous two-part, arms length selection process recognize the Gairdner International Awards. The Medical Review Panel (MRP), made up of active Canadian scientists in mid-career, reviews all nominations. Their recommendations are passed on to the Medical Advisory Board (MAB), composed of about 20 senior scientists from across Canada, the USA, Europe, Australia and Hong Kong. The MAB selects five winners each year. To date there have been 288 awardees, and testament to the quality of the winners is that 70 have gone on to win Nobel Prizes in Medicine.

The annual Gairdner National Program, established 15 years ago, and which takes place in 16-18 academic centres across the country during the third week in October, is unique in the world of awards. Current and past awardees visit academic centres to present their work and answer questions from scientists, postgraduate and medical students, and senior high school/CEGEP students. A free Public Lecture is given in several cities each year. The Gairdner National Program has in effect become a weeklong celebration of science excellence across Canada.

In February 2008 the Federal Government announced a $20 million allocation to Gairdner to increase the prizes to $100,000 each, and institute a new individual prize in Global Health. The Awards will be renamed the Canada Gairdner International Awards in 2009