About Us
The Gairdner Foundation
The Gairdner Foundation was established in 1957 with the main goal of recognizing and rewarding international excellence in fundamental research that impacts human health. Annually, eight awards are given: five Canada Gairdner International Awards for biomedical research, one John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award, specifically for impact on global health issues, and two Peter Gilgan Canada Gairdner Momentum Awards, recognizing mid-career Canadian investigators.
The Gairdner Foundation believes in coming together to openly discuss science to better engage the public, understand the problems we face, and work together to find solutions. Since its founding, a number of outreach events and programs have been developed with the goal of inspiring the next generation of scientific innovators and fostering an informed society. By engaging in outreach programs across Canada, The Gairdner Foundation acts as a convener with the public, policymakers and other stakeholders on the impact of science on our everyday lives.
The Farncombe Institute
The Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute was established in 2008, replacing McMaster University’s Intestinal Disease Research Program that had been in existence since 1984. The Institute’s goal is to better understand and treat, and ultimately cure, the most common categories of chronic illness within and beyond the gut, including the brain and with a focus on the intestinal microbiota. The Institute pursues its vision by adopting an integrated multidisciplinary approach that encompasses bench-to-bedside research and involves close collaborations between clinicians, clinician-scientists and basic scientists. The vision also mandates the provision of the best possible experience that will enable our trainees to pursue successful careers in the academic and private sectors. Knowledge evaluation and translation is a key aspect of our vision, serving to inform peers and the public of advances in our understanding of digestive diseases, and to increase awareness of the burden of these diseases on our society.