Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the Amgen Scholars Programme? The Amgen Scholars Programme provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on research experience at some of the world's leading educational institutions. The programme seeks to increase learning and networking opportunities for students committed to pursuing a science or engineering career and to spark the interest and broaden the perspective of students considering a scientific career. Ultimately, the programme 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? Applicants to the Amgen Scholars Europe Program must:
Amgen Scholars Europe Programme applicants must be:
- Undergraduate students enrolled in bachelor's programmes at 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 Programme. Note for medical students: refer to host institutions’ websites for further eligibility information.
Europe Programme 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 European Higher Education Area and Bologna Process. Click here to see a full list of participating countries.
**Note for medical students: eligible applicants must have not started their clinical training prior to start of the programme in summer.
Please review all requirements on our Apply page.
3. Do I need to be a citizen of one of the above European countries to apply to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program? 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? Yes. It is the students' responsibility to acquire the necessary visas to attend their respective summer programme (in the UK, France, Switzerland, Germany, or Sweden) and the symposium in Cambridge.
5. Can students who are only spending a short period of time (i.e. a semester or year abroad) at a European institution of higher education apply to participate in the Amgen Scholars Program in Europe? No. To be eligible, students must be enrolled and pursuing their bachelor degree at an institution of higher education in Europe.
6. Is there one application form for all of the programme sites in Europe? No. Each programme site in Europe has its own application process.
7. Can I apply to more than one programme site in Europe? Yes. You can apply to as many programme sites in Europe as you would like, but each programme site requires a separate application.
8. Is there a common application deadline for all programme sites in Europe? Yes. The application deadline for all five European sites is Tuesday, 1st February each year at noon CET.
9. Are there certain application requirements common to all programme sites in Europe? Yes. The application at each programme site in Europe requires the submission of an official transcript, letters of recommendation and a personal statement.
10. Do I need to provide formal evidence of my English language ability? Formal evidence is not mandatory, but you will need a good working knowledge of English in order to participate fully. We encourage applicants who are non-native English speakers to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the English language through internationally accepted language exams, but these are not required for application. Candidates may be asked to demonstrate adequate English language skills in a telephone interview.
11. How do I apply? Information about applying to the Amgen Scholars Programme at LMU Munich is available on our Apply page. If you are interested in applying to the Amgen Scholars Programme at another University, please visit the main Amgen Scholars website.
12. Are there common summer programme dates for all programme sites in Europe? No. There are different start and end dates due to varying university timetables. An overview can be found here.
13. What is the expected number of Amgen Scholars at each programme site in Europe, and in total? ETH Zurich, Institut Pasteur, Karolinska Institute, LMU Munich and the University of Cambridge, will each host approximately 10 Amgen Scholars each summer. With five host universities in Europe, we expect there to be approximately 50 Amgen Scholars in Europe each summer.
14. Do I need to attend the Karolinska Institute, LMU Munich, Institut Pasteur, ETH Zurich or the University of Cambridge – or a university in Sweden, Germany, France, Switzerland or the UK – during the academic year to apply to the Amgen Scholars Program? No. Eligible students enrolled at universities throughout Europe may apply. Note that eligible students must attend an institution of higher education in a country that is participating in the Bologna Process (see the list of countries under Question 2).
15. Will there be an opportunity to meet Amgen Scholars participating in the Europe programme at other sites, and to learn more about biotechnology and drug discovery and development? Yes. The programme includes an array of events focused on networking, as well as biotechnology, drug discovery and development. In September, all Amgen Scholars in Europe will attend a symposium to hear firsthand from leading scientists working in industry and academia. The symposium will be held at the University of Cambridge and will provide students with a great opportunity to network with other Amgen Scholars from across Europe.
16. Is the cost of travel to and from this final symposium, as well as room and board, covered by the programme? Yes. Amgen Scholars at LMU Munich will travel to the symposium in Cambridge immediately following the end of their research internship. In 2024, students will return to their home/university countries at the end of the Cambridge symposium.
17. Can I apply to participate in the Amgen Scholars Programme in Europe if science or engineering is not the main subject area of my degree? Yes. Although we expect that the majority of Amgen Scholars will have science or engineering as the main subject area of their degree, students in related subject areas may apply.
18. Do I need to have research experience prior to being admitted to the programme? No. The Amgen Scholars Programme encourages applications from students experienced in research, as well as newcomers to the field. Applications are particularly encouraged from students who attend colleges and universities that have limited opportunities for students to conduct research.
19. Which areas of academic research will the programme offer? At LMU Munich, the research areas are within the fields of biochemistry, structural-, molecular-, cell- and developmental biology, cellular and organismic neurobiology, computational neuroscience, and physiological sciences.
20. When will I find out if I am accepted into the programme at LMU? Offers will be sent out by early April 2024 at the latest. Earliest offers will be sent out at the beginning of March.
21. Can I participate as an Amgen Scholar for more than one summer? No. You can 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 apply to participate as an Amgen Scholar in both Europe and other continents? Yes. See the eligibility criteria sections of the other programme sites for further information.
24. What is an official academic transcript? An official academic transcript is a document that summarises a student's academic progress and performance to date and should include the University and degree programme title, and grades for each course module taken. You will probably need to ask your university to provide you with one and it may take a while to produce. We accept scans or hard copies of these documents. Please provide an official transcript even if you are in your first semester and have not received any grades.
25. 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.