1. 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 some 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.
2. What criteria do I need to meet to become an Amgen Scholar in Europe?
Amgen Scholars Europe Program applicants must be:
- Undergraduate students enrolled in colleges or universities in Europe*; and
- Undergraduate students who have not completed their bachelor's or first degree (or its equivalent) prior to participating in the Program.
Europe Program applicants must also have:
- A strong record of academic performance; and
- An interest in pursuing a Ph.D.
* Eligible students must attend colleges or universities in countries that are participating in the Bologna Process. Currently, the participating countries are:
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Holy See
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Serbia
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
3. Do I need to be a citizen of one of the above European countries to apply to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program in Europe?
No. There is no citizenship requirement for the Amgen Scholars Program in Europe.
4. If applicable, am I required to obtain the appropriate visas to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program in Europe?
Each student is responsible for acquiring the necessary visas to attend his or her respective summer program (in England, Germany, or Sweden) and the symposium in England. See each university's summer research program website for more information.
5. Can students who are spending only a short period of time – for instance, a semester or a year abroad – at European institutions of higher education apply to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program in Europe?
No. To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled at colleges or universities in Europe and must intend to earn their undergraduate degree at colleges or universities in Europe.
6. Is there one application form for all of the host universities in Europe?
No. Each host university in Europe has its own application process.
7. Can I apply to more than one host university in Europe?
Yes. You can apply to as many host universities in Europe as you are interested in, but each host university does require a separate application.
8. Is there a common application deadline for all host universities in Europe?
No. In Europe, the application deadline varies for each host university but all are during the month of February.
9. Are there certain application requirements common to all host universities in Europe?
Yes. The application at each host university in Europe requires, at a minimum, the submission of an official transcript, a letter of recommendation and a personal statement or essay.
10. How do I apply?
Visit the How to Apply section of this website. Information about applying to each host university is available by following the appropriate links to the host universities' respective applications.
11. Are the summer program dates the same for all host universities in Europe?
No. All host universities require a full-time commitment for eight to 10 weeks, with the programs in Europe usually beginning in June or July and ending in August or September. The different starting and ending dates should help accommodate applicants' varying school schedules.
Note that most host universities do not have flexibility with regard to the summer program dates, but see each university's summer research program website for more information.
12. What is the expected number of Amgen Scholars at each host university in Europe, and in total?
The University of Cambridge and LMU Munich will each host approximately 25 Amgen Scholars each summer, and Karolinska Institute will host approximately 15 Amgen Scholars each summer. With three host universities in Europe, it is expected that there will be approximately 65 Amgen Scholars in Europe each summer.
13. Do I need to attend the Karolinska Institute, LMU Munich or the University of Cambridge – or a college or university in Sweden, Germany or the UK – during the academic year to apply to the Amgen Scholars Program in Europe?
No. Eligible students enrolled at colleges and universities throughout Europe may apply. Note that eligible students must attend colleges or university in a country that is participating in the Bologna Process. Currently, the participating countries are:
Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Holy See
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Serbia
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
14. What about housing, food and travel expenses to and from the summer program in Europe?
Financial support is a critical component of the Amgen Scholars Program. Please note that details vary by host university. See each university's summer research program website for more information.
15. Will there be an opportunity to meet Amgen Scholars participating in the Europe Program at other host universities, and to learn more about biotechnology and drug discovery and development?
Yes. In September, each Amgen Scholar in Europe attends a symposium to hear firsthand from leading scientists working in industry and academia. The symposium is held in England, and provides students with a valuable opportunity to network with other Amgen Scholars from across Europe.
16. Is the cost of travel to and from the September symposium, as well as room and board at the symposium, covered by the Program?
17. Can I apply to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program in Europe if science or engineering is not the main subject area of my degree?
Yes. Though it is expected that the majority of Amgen Scholars will have science or engineering as the main subject area of their degrees, students in any subject area may apply.
18. Do I need to have research experience prior to being admitted to the Program in Europe?
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.
19. Which areas of academic research will the Program offer?
Depending on the host university, research areas may include Biochemistry; Bioengineering; Bioinformatics; Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Biopsychology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Immunology; Medical Pharmacology; Microbiology; Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology; Molecular Genetics; Molecular Medicine; Molecular Pharmacology; Neurobiology; Neuroscience; Pathology; Physiological Psychology; Physiological Science; Statistics; and Toxicology.
Note that the terminology used to define these research areas may vary across universities and countries. Please see each university's summer research program website for more information.
20. When will I find out whether I've been accepted into the Program in Europe?
Applicants to host universities in Europe will be notified by the end of April.
21. Can I participate as an Amgen Scholar for more than one summer?
No. Students are invited to participate as an Amgen Scholar for one summer only. This ensures that each summer a new cohort of Amgen Scholars in Europe will have the opportunity to benefit from this type of hands-on research experience.
22. Can I participate as an Amgen Scholar in both the U.S. and Europe?
No. Students are invited to participate as an Amgen Scholar at colleges or universities in the region of the world (U.S. or Europe) where they are currently enrolled and intend to receive their undergraduate degrees. See the Eligibility section of this website for further information.
23. If I am not selected this year, can I apply again?
Yes. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria, you can certainly apply again.
24. Whom do I contact with questions about the Amgen Scholars Program in Europe?
