Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (Switzerland)

ETH Zurich offers summer research project stays within the Amgen Scholars Program for students studying for a Bachelor’s degree at a European university. Research projects are available in the Departments of Biology, of Health Sciences and Technology, and of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. The program covers nine weeks of intensive research in a state-of-the art laboratory in Zurich. Working as part of a research team, you will have the opportunity to interact with leading scientists and PhD students. A closing highlight of the program is the joint symposium for all European Amgen Scholars at the University of Cambridge. In addition to conducting hands-on research, you will attend lectures and workshops offering both insights into state-of-the art research and the opportunity to learn cross-cutting skills such as scientific writing, presentation and intercultural skills.

ETH Zurich is one of the leading technical and scientific universities. It is well-known for its excellent teaching, pioneering fundamental research, and the direct transfer of new findings to real-world applications. Established in 1855, today the ETH Zurich has over 20,000 students and doctoral students from 120 countries. More than 500 professors are currently engaged in teaching and research in the fields of natural science, engineering, architecture, mathematics, system-oriented sciences, in management studies and the social sciences. In the international rankings ETH Zurich is regularly identified as one of the world’s best universities. 21 Nobel laureates have studied, taught or done their research here. ETH Zurich contributes to the sustainable solution of global challenges. Its specific fields of research focus on energy supply, managing risks, development of cities of the future, world nutrition and the health of human beings.

Institut Pasteur (France)

Institut Pasteur is a non-profit private foundation dedicated to research, public health and teaching. Still true to humanist ideals of Louis Pasteur, the institute stands at the forefront of innovative research against infectious diseases. The institute in Paris is also the center of an international network of 32 institutes located on every continent.

Amgen Scholars will have the opportunity to conduct mentor-guided research during 8 weeks in one of the 120 laboratories on the multidisciplinary campus offering cutting edge training in a large variety of topics covering Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Structural Biology, Virology, Parasitology, Mycology, Applied Mathematics for Biology, Infectiology, Imaging, Neurosciences, Developmental Biology and Systems Biology. Each student will have the opportunity to interact with and receive guidance from faculty mentors, interact with young researchers, attend scientific seminars and journal clubs.

The program starts with a Welcome Day of introduction to the Institut Pasteur, mixing Scholars, hosting laboratories and all the staff involved in the program.

The program will end with a poster session and presentations of the conducted research, followed by a reception with all participants, including all members of the hosting laboratories and administrative staff. In September, Amgen Scholars will participate in a three-day symposium at the University of Cambridge, bringing together all students participating in the Amgen Scholars Europe Program.

Paris is one of Europe’s most culturally diverse and artistically rich cities, ensuring an enriching summer experience for Scholars. Amgen Scholars will be housed in university housing.

Students from across Europe are invited to apply and to visit the Program website for further details.

Karolinska Institutet (Sweden)

Undergraduate students selected for the Amgen Scholars Europe Program at Karolinska Institutet will be given the opportunity to conduct research during 8 weeks in the summer at KI. Selected students can choose from pre-clinical scientific research topics within all of KI’s research areas, described on KI’s program website. The program will begin with an introduction to research at KI together with lectures on scientific writing and poster presentation. Throughout the program, students will be part of a research group and participate in lab work, scientific discussions, journal clubs, seminars, and other topics. Students will have housing in Stockholm, with easy access to the campus. The students will also be offered a social program with the possibility to explore the nature and cultural aspects of Stockholm. The program will end with oral and poster presentations of the conducted research where the students also get trained in critiquing each other’s work. We believe that this is an excellent way of providing a robust academic research experience to students from across Europe. In early September, the Amgen Scholars will participate in the European Amgen symposium at the University of Cambridge, joining all students participating in the Amgen Scholars Europe Program. The research of tomorrow will be done by the students of today.

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s foremost medical universities. Our vision is to make a significant contribution to the improvement of human health; our mission is to conduct research and education and to interact with the community. As a university, KI is Sweden’s single largest centre of medical academic research and offers the country’s widest range of medical courses and programmes. Since 1901 the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has selected the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine.

 Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Germany)

Amgen Scholars at LMU Munich will engage in 9 weeks of intensive laboratory research in cooperation with the clinics, centers, departments and institutes at the LMU and its University Hopital, the Helmholtz Center, the Technical University of Munich, the Max-Planck Institutes of Biochemistry, Biological Intelligence, and Psychiatry, offering a unique academic and scientific life-science environment with renowned institutions and world-leading researchers.

Up to 12 undergraduates will be exposed to cutting-edge science and conduct mentor-guided, hands-on research in the fields of Biochemistry, Cell/Developmental/Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular Medicine and Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Cancer Research, Plant Sciences, and Proteomics, many of which routinely link to translational approaches. Lectures and professional workshops offer insight into state-of-the-art research topics, related issues such as bioethics, poster design, abstract writing, and scientific career paths. The program begins with the traditional Orientation Retreat in the scenic Bavarian mountains, where scholars are introduced to LMU site staff, affiliated faculty, and relevant research topics. At the end of the program, students present their posters to the research community in Munich and at the Amgen Scholars European Symposium hosted at the University of Cambridge.

LMU Munich is one of the foremost research universities in Europe, with an over 500-year history. 42 Nobel Prize winners are associated withe LMU Munich, including Conrad Roentgen, Werner Heisenberg, and most recently, Ferenc Krausz, are among the numerous LMU researchers who have received prestigious awards for groundbreaking work. Boasting the second-largest student population of any university in Germany, LMU Munich actively promotes academic diversity and provides a rich environment for fostering international research partnerships and networks. The third largest city in Germany also has much to offer, being cited by The New York Times as the “World’s Most Liveable City.”

University of Cambridge (UK)

Amgen Scholars at the University of Cambridge participate in eight weeks of intensive research in the sciences. Each student will join the laboratory of one of Cambridge’s experienced faculty members, including some of the world’s top academic scientists, gaining hands-on lab experience and contributing to the advancement of science. Students will have the opportunity to attend seminars and training, as well as social and networking activities; and to experience the excitement of working in one of the world’s foremost universities, surrounded by enthusiastic and motivated academics, graduate students and postdoctoral workers. During the programme, scholars will present their emerging findings in laboratory groups, to their supervisors and make an oral presentation to their peers. There will also be the opportunity to present a poster at the end of programme symposium hosted in Cambridge, which Amgen Scholars from across Europe will attend.

The University of Cambridge is among the world’s foremost universities. Over the past 800 years, its contribution to the world has ranged from the discovery of the mechanism of blood circulation to the structure of DNA and from works of the great philosophers of the early 15th century, to the groundbreaking work of its many Nobel Prize winners. Cambridge is a cosmopolitan city with a beautiful medieval centre. Compact and easy to get around, it offers plenty to see and do. All Amgen Scholars will be housed in one of the city’s famous Colleges.

Cambridge welcomes applications from undergraduates from across Europe and prides itself in providing the world’s highest-quality university education for the brightest and best, regardless of background. Interested students from across Europe are invited to visit the programme website for further details. From here, applicants can also use the ‘Find a Supervisor’ portal to search for projects and supervisors about which they might be interested.

PROGRAM DATES:
22 June - 14 August 2026 (plus Europe symposium 3-5 September)

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
1 February 2026

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Since the program is competitive and attracts many strong candidates, the following factors tend to correlate with successful applicants:

1) 📊 Academic Performance & Coursework

Solid grades in science, math, and relevant coursework help signal readiness for research.

While some sites don’t have strict GPA cutoffs, higher performance still strengthens you as a candidate. 

Why it matters: Admissions committees want scholars who can thrive in an intensive research environment.

2) 🧪 Research Interest and Motivation

Write a clear personal statement that explains:

Why you want to do research

What scientific areas excite you

How the Amgen experience fits your career or graduate school goals

This narrative is especially important because many students may not have prior research experience — but demonstrating curiosity and commitment can set you apart. 

3) 👩‍🏫 Letters of Recommendation

Strong letters from professors who know you academically (especially in science/math) help reviewers understand your potential for research success.

Choose recommenders who can speak specifically to your intellectual curiosity, work ethic, and laboratory potential.

4) 🧠 Relevant Experience (If Any)

Prior research is not required, and the program welcomes both beginners and those with experience. 

But if you do have experience — such as lab work, internships, or technical coursework — clearly documenting it boosts your application profile.

5) 📌 Fit with Host Institution or Location

Some regional programs (e.g., Europe) require securing a project supervisor before applying. 

Research the specific host site’s focus areas and make sure your interests align with potential research groups — this shows preparedness and initiative.

6) 🗣️ Communication & Engagement

The program is not just research — it includes seminars, presentations, and networking. Applications that show good communication skills often stand out.

Your personal statement and interview (if applicable) are where you can shine here.

🧪 Quick Checklist Before You Apply

✔ Confirm eligibility for the specific host site and region. 
✔ Prepare transcripts and academic documents early. 
✔ Write a concise, compelling personal statement about your goals and interests. 
✔ Line up letters of recommendation well before deadlines. 
✔ For European sites, secure supervisor support before submission. 
✔ Highlight your motivation to pursue research — even without prior lab experience. 

🎓 In Summary: Success Predictors