Media Advisory - Grand Challenges Canada Announces a Challenge to Canadian
Rising Stars: Funding for Bold and Creative Discoveries in Global Health

VANCOUVER, Sept. 16 /CNW/ - A bold new funding program encouraging young Canadian Scientists to find innovative and creative solutions to pressing health challenges in the developing world is being announced on September 20, 2010.

Canada has many talented and exceptional young scientists who have the potential to make a world of difference to people in developing countries.

Scientists like Dr. Aleksandra Leligdowicz from the University of British Columbia and a Canadian Rhodes Scholar is dedicating herself to tackling HIV infections, which affect 33 million and kill 2 million people a year.   

Grand Challenges Canada is encouraging other young scientists to make their contribution to global health discovery through the Canadian Rising Stars in Global Health program.

The money to fund this program will come from the Development Innovation Fund (DIF). In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada committed $225 million over five years to the DIF, to support the best minds in the world in a collaborative search for solutions to global health challenges.

Grand Challenges Canada was created to implement the realization of this goal working with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a Crown Corporation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), a Government of Canada Agency.

What:	Announcement of a new & significant program to support young Canadian scientific talent discover breakthrough solutions in global health.
Who:	Dr. Peter A. Singer, CEO Grand Challenges Canada
	Dr. Alan Winter, President & CEO, Genome British Columbia
	Dr. John Challis, President & CEO, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
	Dr. Aleksandra Leligdowicz, University of British Columbia
	Dr. Liam Brunham, University of British Columbia
	Dr. Karlee Silver, University of Toronto
When:	Monday September 20, 2010.
	Announcement 12:40 p.m. - Dr. Peter A. Singer announces new program Future Canadian Rising Stars, Dr. Aleksandra Leligdowicz, Dr. Liam Brunham, Dr. Karlee Silver tell moving stories about their discoveries treating patients in the developing world
Where:	Four Seasons Vancouver,
	Le Pavillon
	791 West Georgia Street
Photo Op:	Canadian Rising Stars In Global Health against of backdrop of African health clinics

Canada Canada Canada www.grandchallenges.ca

For further information:

Media Contact:	Lyn Whitham 647 519 3579
	Rhian Walker 604 617 6955