The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) and the internationally renowned Gairdner Foundation have formalized their partnership to expand opportunities for Canada’s next generation of health researchers and strengthen the country’s leadership in global health innovation.
For the past three years, AFMC has proudly hosted the prestigious Gairdner Lectures at the International Congress on Academic Medicine (ICAM). In April 2026, Ottawa will once again welcome Gairdner Laureates, world-leading scientists whose discoveries are transforming medicine. They will present groundbreaking research and connect with the global academic medicine community, while also mentoring trainees in dynamic sessions that spark ideas and inspire future discovery.
This partnership also shines a spotlight on rising talent. Through ICAM’s research poster competition, learners from across Canada and abroad will present their work on an international stage. Top students will receive Gairdner Award, granting access to Gairdner Science Week in Toronto. One exceptional student will advance even further, earning a place at the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn alongside the world’s most brilliant scientific minds.
“Participating in ICAM 2025 and being recognized by Gairdner has been extremely beneficial for my development,” says Tara Shomali, PhD candidate in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University. “ICAM provided a unique platform to present my work to both scientific and clinical communities, helping me refine how I communicate structural biology to broader audiences. Being recognized by Gairdner has opened doors to new collaborations and allowed me to tackle bigger questions in neurodegeneration. Together, these opportunities have pushed my research forward and encouraged me to think more broadly about its impact.”
This partnership comes at an important time, as AFMC and the Gairdner Foundation are both working to build momentum for health research in Canada.
At ICAM 2025, AFMC convened a national forum of deans of medicine, funders, policymakers, and trainees. Participants tackled the pressing challenges facing the clinician-scientist community and generated strategies to strengthen support for this vital workforce. The feedback and recommendations are helping to drive strategies and advocacy efforts to ensure clinician-scientists can thrive and lead on the global stage.
Learn more here.
Coming soon is also Gairdner Science Week, a flagship event that celebrates significant achievements in biomedical science. The week features a series of symposia, mentoring sessions, and discussions led by esteemed Gairdner laureates and global health leaders. It serves as a platform for networking and sharing groundbreaking research that impacts health and well-being worldwide.
For more information on AFMC’s work in this space, reach out to advocacy@afmc.ca
For more information about the Gairdner Science Week, contact events@gairdner.org