The California Institute of Technology is a world leader in research and education. Collaborative efforts among faculty and students help keep the Institute at the forefront of science and technology. We find that students learn best not just through classroom studies, but also by participating in science and engaging in research with mentors who work at the frontiers of their fields.

Through the Amgen Scholars Program, students are welcomed into the community of researchers and scholars and are able to experience the life of scientists. Students take intellectual ownership of a project as they explore the secrets of nature, learn to ask questions, persist in the tedious and often repetitious details of experiments and experience the joy of discovery. They can make educated decisions about what careers they want, or don’t want, to pursue.

The Amgen Scholars Program at Caltech introduces students to research under the guidance of seasoned research mentors. The program is modeled on the grant-seeking process. Taking on the role of grant applicants, students collaborate with potential mentors to define and develop a project. They then write research proposals for the work, and a faculty committee reviews the proposals. Awards are made on the basis of reviewer recommendations.

Amgen Scholars carry out the work over a 10-week period in the summer, and at the conclusion they submit a technical paper and give an oral presentation at the Amgen Scholars Program Seminar Day at Caltech, a symposium modeled on a professional technical meeting.

Caltech seeks to ensure that the experience is not only intellectually challenging and interesting, but enjoyable as well. Along with participating in research-related seminars and professional development workshops, students can enjoy a variety of social and cultural activities.