Columbia University Receives Grant from the Amgen Foundation to Continue Hosting the Amgen Scholars Program

Today, Columbia University has been awarded a four-year grant from the Amgen Foundation to continue providing hands-on laboratory experience to undergraduate students across the United States through the Amgen Scholars Program. The Amgen Foundation is expanding the Amgen Scholars Program, bringing the program to a total of 24 premier institutions across the U.S., Europe, Asia and, for the first time, Australia and Canada, to provide undergraduates with financial support and hands-on summer research opportunities in biomedical and biotechnology fields.

Since May 2007, Columbia University has hosted more than 300 Amgen Scholars in our science research labs. Impressively, 85 percent of ASP participants that have already obtained their undergraduate degree are presently pursuing a science-based degree or career. Furthermore, The ASP has increased the participants interest in research, a major accomplishment. Peter deMenocal, Dean of Science, Columbia University stated that, “The Amgen Scholars Program opens Columbia University’s doors to provide high-quality summer research opportunities for our students and students from other colleges and universities to experience hands-on research alongside our distinguished faculty. We are grateful for Amgen’s continued support of the next generation of leaders in science and biotechnology.”

This signature initiative builds upon the Amgen Foundation’s mission to advance excellence in science education and empower tomorrow’s innovators, a goal to which the Foundation has contributed nearly $150 million globally to date. Eight new partners — Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, National University of Singapore, Tsinghua University, University of Melbourne, University of Toronto, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Yale University — will join the already distinguished group of host institutions including Columbia University.

“As the pace of innovation increases, so too does the need to educate the scientists of tomorrow,” said Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer at Amgen. “We look forward to further expanding the reach of the Amgen Scholars Program, which has already provided research opportunities to thousands of talented undergraduates at premier institutions around the globe, and now has the potential do much more.”

Since its inception in 2006, the Amgen Scholars Program has made research opportunities at premier institutions possible for more than 3,900 undergraduate students representing 700 colleges and universities. 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.

Amgen Scholars provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in the process of discovery and build intellectual connections with some of the most accomplished scientists around the world. Undergraduate participants benefit from undertaking a research project with the mentorship of top faculty, being part of a cohort-based experience, participating in seminars and networking events and taking part in a symposium in their respective region where they meet their peers, learn about biotechnology and hear from leading scientists in both industry and academia.

The program aims to break down barriers for many students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to engage in science at the world’s top educational and research institutions. Financial support for students is a critical component of the program, which seeks to ensure that eligible students, regardless of their financial status, can participate.

Columbia University is now accepting applications for the 2019 Amgen Scholars Program through February 1, 2019. For more information about the Amgen Scholars Program, or to complete an application, visit www.AmgenScholars.com and follow us on Twitter: @Columbia and @AmgenFoundation.

AMGEN SCHOLARS PROGRAM HOST INSTITUTIONS

*Indicates New Host Institution for 2019

  • United States

California Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Duke University*, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University*, National Institutes of Health, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, UC San Francisco, UT Southwestern Medical Center*, Washington University St. Louis, Yale University*

  • Europe

ETH Zurich, Institut Pasteur, Karolinska Institute, LMU Munich, University of Cambridge

  • Asia

Kyoto University, National University of Singapore*, Tsinghua University*, The University of Tokyo

  • Australia

University of Melbourne*

  • Canada

University of Toronto*

About Columbia University is one of the world’s most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators and to invest in strengthening communities where Amgen staff members live and work. To date, the Foundation has donated over $300 million to local, regional and international nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. For more information, visit www.AmgenInspires.com and follow us on Twitter at @AmgenFoundation.

Contact
Chanda Springer
(212) 854-2262, amgen@columbia.edu

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