Annually, seven awards are given: five Canada Gairdner International Awards for biomedical research, the John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award, specifically for impact on global health issues, and the Canada Gairdner Wightman Award, reserved for a Canadian scientist showcasing scientific excellence and leadership.
Laureates each receive $100,000 CDN that can be put towards anything the laureate wishes. Past laureates have used their winnings to support their labs, their research or even paid for their niece to attend medical school.

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

The John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award
The John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award recognizes the world’s leading researchers who have used rational, scientifically based research to improve the wellbeing of those facing health inequalities worldwide. While a single significant scientific discovery would continue to be sufficient evidence to select a nominee, the Award will also recognize outstanding researchers who apply rational scientific approaches to successful implementation, evaluation and policy interventions.
Gairdner invites nominations from any field of research impacting global health and health inequity. The award is intended for research-focused candidates, not those primarily involved in administrative or advocacy roles. This award can be shared by multiple recipients at the discretion of the Foundation.
Quality nominations are essential to the evaluation process for this award. 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.

Canada Gairdner Wightman Award
The Canada Gairdner Wightman Award recognizes a Canadian health researcher who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership paired with exceptional science. Successful nominees will demonstrate research excellence in the health sciences at an international level as well as superior leadership among their peers, with local, national and international impact. Outstanding candidates at varied levels of career development are eligible.
Quality nominations are essential to the evaluation process for this award. 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.