As part of its mission to advance science education, the Amgen Foundation announced its partnership with 10 of the nation’s leading universities to provide hundreds of selected undergraduate students an opportunity to engage in a fully funded, hands-on research experience each summer.

Amgen Scholars is a $25 million, eight-year program that will provide research experience for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree and a career in science. For the first phase of the program, which extends through 2010, each of the 10 program partners will receive $1 million over the next four years. Each institution is charged with selecting participants from both their own student body as well as from other accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States, Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories.

The 10 program partners are:
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• Columbia University/Barnard College
• Howard University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Stanford University
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of California, San Diego
• University of California, San Francisco
• University of Washington

“At Amgen, we believe we have an important responsibility to inspire and prepare the next generation of scientists,” said Jean Lim, president, Amgen Foundation. “In partnership with some of our nation’s top research universities, we hope to strengthen undergraduate science education by increasing the number of available research opportunities for students. Our hope is that this program will be a pivotal experience that will encourage students to pursue further education and training in the sciences.”

Posted on January 10, 2007 07:25 AM