Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

South Coast Charitable Foundation Expands International Science Education Program

Photo by Amgen Foundation

The nonprofit wing of a major biotech firm on the South Coast is expanding a science education program that impacts college students across the globe.

The Amgen Foundation that’s based in Thousand Oaks is committing $21 million to fund its Amgen Scholars Program. 

"What the Amgen Scholars Program is at its heart is an opportunity for college students to go and spend the summer at the very best research universities and institutions in the world," said Scott Heimlich with the Foundation. "We open the doors to these institutions and provide a compelling research experience for students who will get inspired to go on to research careers."

The funding will allow an additional 1,500 undergrads over the next four years to conduct groundbreaking research in biomedical and biotechnology fields. It’ll also expand the program to a total of 24 elite institutions across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and for the first time, Australia and Canada.

Since the program started over 16 years ago, nearly 4,000 students from more than 700 colleges and universities have participated. About a third of them have earned their PhD or MD or are pursuing an advanced graduate degree in a scientific field.

The Amgen Foundation supports KCLU’s coverage of science and technology stories.