Summer Undergraduate Research Programs - Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences

Amgen Scholars Program

Thank you to the Amgen Foundation and the Global Amgen Scholars Program for providing funding and administrative assistance for the DBBS Amgen Scholars Program.

Apply Here!

2025 Cohort Deadline: February 1

The Amgen Scholars Program at the Vagelos Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) at Washington University in St. Louis prepares accepted students to apply to top-tier graduate and professional schools by fostering an understanding of the trajectory of a career in research.

Accepted students will participate in a 10-week intensive laboratory research experience, where they will work closely with a faculty mentor on a project. Students will also participate in the signature component of the summer program, the Amgen Scholars U.S. Symposium. Held in California, the symposium provides students a valuable opportunity to hear from leading scientists working in industry and academia, and to network with other Amgen Scholars from across the country. The program concludes with a poster symposium at Washington University in St. Louis where Scholars present on their summer projects.

Amgen Scholars receive housing and travel expenses as well as a generous stipend. Applicants from R-2 and below schools and underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Summer 2025 Cohort Timeline

November 1, 2024: Application opens for 2025 cohort

February 1, 2025: Application deadline

Mid-March 2025: Notification of admission decision begins
(Note: Due to the high volume of applications, admission decisions may be sent through April 30th. We cannot accommodate requests for expedited admission decisions nor estimated timelines. Emails of this nature may not receive a personalized response.)

May 18, 2025 – July 25, 2025: Participation in 10-week summer research program

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
Undergraduate students enrolled in accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States or U.S. territories
Sophomores with four (4) quarters or three (3) semesters of college experience, juniors, or non-graduating seniors
Cumulative 3.2 GPA or above
A strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.

The Amgen Scholars Program selects participants based on academic achievement, leadership and interest in the pursuit of a career in science. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in biomedical sciences, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities, as defined by the National Insitute of Health. Please note that all applications will be reviewed holistically and in compliance with legal requirements.

Other Amgen sites

Application requirements

Frequently asked questions

Application and participation questions

What is the Amgen Scholars Program?

The Amgen Scholars Program provides hundreds of undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on summer research experience at some of the world’s leading institutions. There are 12 program sites throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada and Australia. Each site has its own application and you can apply to participate at multiple program sites.

How do I access the program application?

Click on the “Apply Here” button above, and then log in or create an account. Once you have started a new application, you must complete the first two pages (“Personal Background” and “Additional Information”) before moving forward. On the third page (“Program Information”), there will be a drop-down menu of programs to apply for. As long as you are eligible for the Amgen Scholars Program, this program will appear on the list of options. If you have not completed the first two pages and/or are not eligible for this program, it will not be listed as an option. If you have any issues accessing the application, please contact us at DBBS-SummerResearch@email.wustl.edu.

I am an international student. Can I apply to the Amgen Scholars Program?

No. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident currently enrolled in a college or university in the U.S., Puerto Rico or other U.S. territory. However, international students currently enrolled as WUSTL undergraduates can apply to the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship, another DBBS summer research program.

If my school is on the quarter system, will I still be allowed to participate?

Students accepted into the program are allowed to join us up to one week after the program has begun. Please be advised that your stipend will be prorated accordingly.

Can past Amgen Scholars apply for this program?

No. Past Amgen Scholars are ineligible for this opportunity.

If I am a former community college student and have transferred to a four-year college or university, am I eligible to apply?

Yes. If you are enrolled in a four-year college or university when you apply, you are eligible.

Must I have prior research experience to apply?

No. Prior research experience is not required.

When will I know if I am accepted into the WUSTL Amgen Scholars Program?

According to national Amgen Scholars Program policy, admission notifications will be sent on March 1st at the earliest. Notifications may continue through the end of March.

Lab selection questions

How many summer positions are available in the Amgen Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis?

There are approximately 12 positions.

Will I be allowed to select a specific faculty with whom to work?

Yes. After you have accepted our offer of admission into the program you will be sent a list of potential faculty mentors and a description of their work. We ask that you provide us with your top three choices. Most participants are placed in their first, second or third choice faculty selection. In the event we cannot accommodate your top three choices we will notify you with other suggestions.

Travel/housing/meals/stipend questions

Is air travel to and from St. Louis provided?

Yes. We will book and pay for your flight to and from St. Louis through our campus travel agency. Participants who drive will be reimbursed for mileage or the equivalent of an airline ticket, whichever is the lowest cost.

Is ground travel provided to and from the Washington University campus?

Yes. We will provide Uber vouchers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the program.

What type of housing is offered?

Amgen Scholars will be housed on Danforth Campus in an undergraduate residence hall. Each Scholar will have their own room in a suite shared with 2-3 summer research students. No additional funding will be provided if the Scholar chooses to live off campus.

Are meals provided?

A meal card of $400 will be provided to each Scholar upon arrival.

How much is the stipend?

The stipend of $5000 will be paid in two installments – once at the end of June and once at the end of July.

Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Apply Here!

2025 Cohort Deadline: November 25 at 10:59 PM CST/11:59 PM EST

The Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship is a unique opportunity for current Washington University undergraduate students to gain hands-on, graduate-level laboratory research experience in biology and biomedical sciences working under the supervision of School of Medicine faculty.

Fellows will first complete a spring course covering research skills and other relevant topics, including latest research and career lessons. After successful course completion, Fellows will conduct laboratory research under the guidance of a faculty mentor over the summer. Upon completion of the program, Fellows may attend exclusive career development workshops and/or serve as peer mentors to future cohorts. Students from underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Spring 2025 Cohort Timeline

Eligibility

Open to current Washington University freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors only. Seniors who will graduate before the end of the program are not eligible to participate.
Students must have a strong interest pursuing a career in biology and/or biomedical sciences research. Students are not required to have previous research experience.
Applicants should also possess the following characteristics:
- Academic excellence
- Collaborative mindset
- Professional demeanor
- Dedication to service
- Leadership potential
Must be eligible to work in the United States over the summer
Students from underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply

Application requirements

Unofficial college transcript(s)
Acknowledge commitment to Spring 2025 course:
- 2 credit hours
- Every Thursday, 3-4:50pm
- Attendance is mandatory
Short essay prompts (200-word limit each):
- Briefly describe any previous experience you have in a research environment.
- Briefly describe your motivation for applying to the Vagelos Fellows program. What do you wish to accomplish with this experience?
- What excites you most about participating in the Vagelos Fellows program?
- What are your career aspirations and how do you think this experience will better prepare you for those goals?

Frequently asked questions

What is the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship?

The Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on summer research experience at Washington University.

I am an international student. Can I apply to the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship?

As long as you are eligible to work in the United States over the summer, you may be admitted to the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

Do I need to have prior research experience to apply?

No. The admission committee seeks applicants with a genuine interest in pursuing a career in research, and all applications will be reviewed holistically (coursework, research experience, work experience, short-answer responses, etc.)

When will I know if I am accepted into the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship?

Notifications will be sent in early December.

How many positions are available in the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship?

There are 12 spots available in the 2025 cohort.

How do I choose a lab or faculty mentor?

The faculty member must be part of WashU School of Medicine and DBBS. They must also be willing to serve as a mentor for 10 weeks over the summer or assign a graduate student or postdoc to serve as a mentor. We are happy to help students connect with potential mentors.

What type of transportation is provided for Fellows?

Vagelos Fellows are responsible for their own transportation to and from class, lab, professional development workshops, and social activities. We recommend renewing your U-Pass for the summer, provided for free by the university.

What type of housing is offered?

The Vagelos Fellowship covers housing on Danforth Campus over the summer. Each Fellow will have their own room in a suite shared with 2-3 other summer research students. No additional funding will be provided if the Fellow chooses to live off campus. No housing or funding is provided during the spring semester.

Are meals provided over the summer?

A meal card of $400 will be provided to each Fellow at summer orientation.

How much is the stipend?

The stipend of $5000 will be paid in two installments – once at the end of June and once at the end of July. The stipend is provided entirely by the Fellowship, so faculty mentors are not required to use their own funding.

For more information about our summer undergraduate research programs, contact DBBS-SummerResearch@email.wustl.edu.

Explore additional summer research programs offered by Washington University. ≫

Washington University encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability or genetic information. Inquiries about compliance should be addressed to the University’s Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, Washington University, Campus Box 1184, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130.