FAQs

Q: What is the Purpose of the Amgen Scholars Program?

A: The Amgen Scholars Program provides selected undergraduate students – from any four-year college or university in a given region – with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research experience at many of the world’s leading educational and research institutions in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada. The program increases learning and networking opportunities for students committed to pursuing a science or engineering career and sparks the interest and broadens the perspective of students considering a scientific career. Nearly 4,000 undergraduates from over 700 colleges and universities have participated to date, with 360 new undergraduates getting the opportunity to participate each summer over the next four years.

Q: How is the Amgen Scholars Program different from other summer science research programs?

A: Amgen Scholars offers a high caliber, hands-on research opportunity under top researchers. The key distinguishing factor of the program is the summer symposium that brings together the Amgen Scholars to discuss their research projects, learn more about biotechnology and science careers, and hear first-hand from leading scientists in academia and industry. Other distinguishing factors include the following:

The cohort-based model at the undergraduate level, whereby the students hosted by each campus participate in other activities beyond the laboratory research experience, is an integral feature of the program that distinguishes it from other models.
Areas of potential focus for Amgen Scholars include any disciplines related to the discovery, development, manufacture and delivery of human therapeutics, as well as the overall biomedical and biotechnology enterprise. Other programs are often focused on one particular STEM discipline.
Financial support. The large financial commitment to the program seeks to ensure that eligible students, regardless of their financial status, can participate if admitted.

Q: How many students have participated in the Amgen Scholars Program since its inception?

A: Since its inception in 2006, the Amgen Scholars Program has provided research opportunities under world-renowned mentors to more than 3,900 undergraduate student

Q: On average, how many undergraduates apply to the Amgen Scholars Program each year?

A: Student applications have increased year over year. In fact, in 2018, there were more than 5,700 students from 1,100 colleges and universities who applied for the 340 available program spots.

Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program?

A: Eligibility varies across the five program regions, so check out the Amgen Scholars website at www.AmgenScholars.com for further details. The five program regions in which Amgen Scholars operates are the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia, most of which are available to eligible students in their given region. Unique among the programs, the Asia program is open to eligible students not only across Asia but worldwide.

Q: How many Amgen Scholars Program participants go on to work in the science field?

A: Of those alumni who have completed their undergraduate studies, nearly 900 are currently pursuing an advanced graduate degree in a scientific field, and another 280 have earned their Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. More than 500 are employed in scientific fields across 33 countries, with 99 percent of surveyed alumni saying the program impacted their academic or professional direction. Alumni of the program are beginning to make a growing impact across academia, industry and government, garnering numerous awards and recognitions such as the Rhodes Scholarship, NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, and selection to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Healthcare.

Q: Is there an expectation that students who participate in the Amgen Scholars Program should work for Amgen or the biotechnology industry once they’ve completed their schooling?

A: Our goal with the program is to inspire the next generation of innovators, no matter where they choose to work. The program recruits for science, and many program alumni are now pursuing advanced degrees in scientific fields and scientific careers in academia, industry, government and other sectors. By exposing students to what the world of biotechnology has to offer, we hope to spark a new appreciation for a field of science to which they may not otherwise get exposure. There is no expectation whatsoever that participants will work for Amgen or the biotechnology industry.

Q: Which areas of academic research will the program offer?

A: Areas of potential focus for Amgen Scholars include any disciplines related to the discovery, development, manufacture and delivery of human therapeutics, as well as the overall biomedical and biotechnology enterprise.