TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Gairdner Foundation is pleased to announce a $5.3 million gift from the Azrieli Foundation to endow and name the Azrieli Gairdner Early Career Investigator Awards. This donation will provide sustained support for exceptional early-career scientists as they advance their research and establish their careers – and is the first Gairdner award to focus specifically on emerging Canadian researchers.

The awards recognize promising researchers at a pivotal career stage, providing opportunities to showcase their work alongside internationally renowned scientists and connect with leaders in the global research community. By supporting emerging talent, the program will help to improve the research environment in Canada and nurture discoveries that advance human health.

“Early-career investigators are pursuing innovative approaches to some of the most pressing challenges in human health. Yet, establishing an independent research career is challenging, and recognition and access to opportunities at this stage make a lasting difference. We are deeply grateful to the Azrieli Foundation for this commitment to recognize emerging talent and bolster Canada’s scientific community.”

– Dr. Morag Park, President and Scientific Director, Gairdner Foundation

“We believe supporting early-career researchers is one of the most important ways to strengthen the Canadian research ecosystem, which is why we are delighted to establish this first-ever Gairdner award for outstanding young investigators based in Canada. There could be no better partner than the Gairdner Foundation, whose longstanding commitment to excellence in science makes this initiative especially meaningful.”

-Dr. Naomi Azrieli, O.C., Chair, Azrieli Foundation

Quick Facts:

• The Azrieli Foundation’s $5.3 million commitment will endow and name the Azrieli Gairdner Early Career Investigator Awards.
• The awards recognize exceptional early-career researchers based in Canada and will connect them with leading scientists and the global research community.
• The endowment will provide sustained program support and help develop and retain scientific talent in Canada.
• The Gairdner Foundation’s mission is to celebrate, inform and inspire scientific excellence around the globe.
• The Azrieli Foundation supports initiatives in research, education, healthcare,  community building and the arts.

About the Azrieli Foundation
For more than 35 years, the Azrieli Foundation has been dedicated to strengthening communities and improving people’s lives through strategic and impactful giving in Canada and Israel. We are proud of our work, which is guided by Jewish values and supports people of all faiths, ages, backgrounds and abilities, to reach their full potential and drive positive change in their communities.

https://azrielifoundation.org/ 

About the Gairdner Foundation  
The mission of the Gairdner Foundation is to celebrate, inform and inspire scientific excellence around the globe. Established in 1957, the Foundation recognizes major research contributions to the treatment of disease and alleviation of human suffering through the annual Canada Gairdner Awards. Since its inception, 443 awards have been bestowed on laureates from over 40 countries, 105 of whom have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes. Through Gairdner Connects, its national outreach program, the Foundation brings science to communities across Canada, inspiring future innovators and sparking public dialogue about how research can address the world’s most pressing health challenges.

https://gairdner.org/  

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SOURCE Gairdner Foundation