The Amgen Foundation is an integral component of Amgen’s commitment to dramatically improve people’s lives, and the principal channel for the Company’s corporate philanthropy. Operating since 1991, the Foundation has contributed more than USD 375 million to non-profit organisations across the globe.
The Amgen Foundation places a strong emphasis on strengthening science education and is committed to supporting in meaningful, evidence-based programs at local, national, and international levels. Guided by the belief that everyone needs science and science needs everyone, the Amgen Foundation has invested USD 200 million to circumvent barriers of access and cost to bring a new kind of science education to students everywhere. Amgen Australia is privileged to help bring two of the Foundation’s signature programs - The Amgen Biotech Experience and Amgen Scholars – to Australian students through partnerships with leading academic institutions.
The Amgen Biotech Experience is an innovative science education program that enables secondary school science teachers to implement real-world biotechnology labs in their classrooms. With leadership from university and other partners in the 14 countries in which it operates, the program provides teacher professional development, teaching materials, and research-grade equipment to high schools so they can explore the methods scientists use to create biotechnology medicines. Over 30 years, the Foundation has committed more than USD 42 million to provide this hands-on molecular biology curricula to nearly 850,000 students.
Launched in Australia in 2017 through a partnership with The University of Sydney, the program has already reached more than 8,100 students from over 45 schools in New South Wales.
In 2020, to mark the 30th anniversary of the ABE program worldwide, the Amgen Foundation announced an additional USD16.4 million in funding globally, allowing the program to be extended in Australia and all other existing sites for another three years.
This new round of funding will enable the expansion of the program to cater for more underprivileged schools in Sydney and improve access to equipment – especially for under-resourced schools in regional New South Wales.
Learn more about the Amgen Biotech Experience or visit The University of Sydney to apply to bring the ABE program to your school.
Through a 17-year, USD 74 million commitment from the Amgen Foundation, the Amgen Scholars Program makes it possible for young scientists from across the globe to participate in cutting-edge research experiences at world-class universities. 24 premier educational and research institutions currently host the science and biotechnology summer program that provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to conduct research in a lab environment.
The University of Melbourne joined the network in 2018, receiving a four-year grant to make the program more accessible across Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania.
Through this partnership, over 35 research leaders signed-on to mentor aspiring scientists, creating 15 eight-week research placements in Melbourne’s Biomedical Precinct each year.
During these placements, Amgen Scholars benefit from gaining hands-on experience alongside top faculty, participate in seminars and networking events, and take part in symposia with their peers and leading scientists from industry and academia.
Amgen Scholars is an outstanding example of industry and academia working hand-in-hand to advance science education.
Learn more about Amgen Scholars or visit The University of Melbourne to assess your eligibility or apply for the local program.
