Amgen Scholars is hosted at fourteen premier educational institutions within the United States. Each host institution has its own application process. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in the United States is required, and you can apply to participate at as many host institutions as you are interested in.
Undergraduate students enrolled in accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States, Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories; and
Sophomores (with four quarters or three semesters of college experience), juniors or non-graduating seniors (who are returning in the fall to continue undergraduate studies).
U.S. Program applicants must also have:
A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or above; and
An interest in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D.
North America Symposium
A signature component of the summer program is the symposium where students hear firsthand from leading scientists working in industry and academia. Over the course of the symposium, Scholars have the chance to share their summer research projects with their peers and deepen their understanding of drug discovery and development.
Amgen Scholars in the U.S. Program meet in southern California each year to network with other Amgen Scholars from the U.S. and Canada as well as interact with leading scientists in industry and academia.
FAQs/United States
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What is the purpose of the Amgen Scholars Program?
The Amgen Scholars Program provides hundreds of selected undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research experience at many of the world’s leading educational institutions. The Program seeks to increase learning and networking opportunities for students committed to pursuing science or engineering careers and to spark the interest and broaden the perspective of students considering scientific careers. Ultimately, the Program aims to increase the number of students pursuing advanced training and careers in the sciences.
What criteria do I need to meet to become an Amgen Scholar in the U.S.?
Amgen Scholars U.S. Program applicants must be:
U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents;
Undergraduate students enrolled in accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States, Puerto Rico, or other U.S. territories; and
Sophomores (with four quarters or three semesters of college experience), juniors or non-graduating seniors (who are returning in the fall to continue undergraduate studies).
U.S. Program applicants must also have:
A cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or above; and
An interest in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D.
Is there one application form for all of the host universities in the U.S.?
No. Each host institution in the U.S. has its own application process.
Can I apply to more than one host institution in the U.S.?
Yes. You can apply to as many host institutions in the U.S. as you are interested in, but each host institution requires a separate application.
Is there a common application deadline for all host institutions in the U.S.?
In the U.S., the application deadline for host institutions is in early February.
Are there certain application requirements common to all host institutions in the U.S.?
Yes. The application at each host institution in the U.S. requires, at a minimum, the submission of an official transcript, a letter of recommendation and a personal statement or essay.
How do I apply?
Information about applying to each host institution is available by following the appropriate links to the host institutions’ respective applications.
Are the summer program dates the same for all U.S. host universities?
No. All host institutions require a full-time commitment for eight to 10 weeks, with the programs in the U.S. usually beginning in June and ending in August. The different starting and ending dates should help accommodate applicants’ varying school schedules.
Note that most host institutions do not have flexibility with regard to the summer program dates, but see each institution’s Amgen Scholars Program website for more information.
What is the expected number of Amgen Scholars participating annually at each host institution and in total in the U.S.?
Each Amgen Scholars institution in the U.S. will host at least 10 Amgen Scholars each summer. With 14 host institutions in the U.S., it is expected that there will be 140 Amgen Scholars in the U.S. per year.
Do I need to have attended one of the 14 host institutions in the U.S. during the academic year to apply to the Amgen Scholars Program?
No. Eligible students at colleges and universities from across the United States, Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories may apply.
What about housing, food and travel expenses to and from the summer program in the U.S.?
Financial support is a critical component of the Amgen Scholars Program. Please note that details vary by host institution. See each institution’s Amgen Scholars Program website for more information.
Will there be an opportunity to meet Amgen Scholars participating in the Program at other host institutions and to learn more about biotechnology and drug discovery and development?
Yes. In July, each Amgen Scholar in the U.S. and Canada attends a symposium to share their research projects and hear firsthand from leading scientists working in industry and academia. The symposium is held in California, and provides students with a valuable opportunity to network with other Amgen Scholars from the U.S. and Canada.
Is the cost of travel to and from the Amgen Scholars symposium in July, as well as room and board at the symposium, covered by the Program?
Yes.
Can I apply to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program in the U.S. if I am not a science or engineering major?
Yes. Though it is expected that the majority of Amgen Scholars will be science or engineering majors, students in any major may apply.
Do I need to have research experience prior to being admitted to the Program in the U.S.?
No. The Amgen Scholars Program encourages applications from both students experienced in research and newcomers to the field. For students who attend colleges and universities that have limited opportunities for students to conduct research, the Program is a great way to gain such experience.
Which areas of academic research will the Program offer?
Areas of potential focus include any disciplines related to the discovery, development, manufacture and delivery of human therapeutics, as well as the overall biomedical and biotechnology enterprise.
Note that the terminology used to define research disciplines may vary across institutions. Please see each institution’s Amgen Scholars Program website for more information.
When will I find out whether I've been accepted into the Program?
Applicants to host institutions in the U.S. should be notified by the end of March.
Can I be an Amgen Scholar in more than one summer?
No. Undergraduates may be an Amgen Scholar in one summer only. Each summer a new cohort of approximately 140 Amgen Scholars in the U.S. will have the opportunity to benefit from this type of hands-on research experience.
Can I apply to the Amgen Scholars Program in multiple regions (U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia, or Canada)?
No. Applications may be submitted to the Amgen Scholars Program in one region only, primarily based on where the applicant is currently enrolled and intends to receive their undergraduate degree. See the Eligibility sections of this website for further details and information.
Can I apply to participate as an Amgen Scholar in both the U.S. and Asia?
No. Applications may be submitted to the Amgen Scholars Program in one region only, primarily based on where the applicant is currently enrolled and intends to receive their undergraduate degree. (For the U.S. and Canada, there also is a citizenship requirement.) See the Eligibility sections of this website for further details and information.
If I am not selected this year, can I apply again?
Yes. As long as you continue to meet eligibility criteria, you can certainly apply again.
Whom do I contact with questions about the Amgen Scholars Program in the U.S.?
