Winning the fight against serious illness requires continued innovation and a large pool of talented researchers and scientists, yet many European countries are experiencing a skills gap with a clear disparity between essential skills required and professional opportunities available. Since 2007, the Amgen Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Amgen, has contributed over €12 million to European non-profit organizations to promote the importance of scientific discovery to students and contribute to innovative practices in teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Amgen Teach focuses on teaching science using inquiry-based learning and formative assessment strategies to secondary school students across ten European countries. Supported by a €2.6 million grant over a three-year period, the initiative uses training workshops and distance learning events to provide educators with the skills and confidence to transform student learning experience. Meanwhile the Amgen Biotech Experience is an innovative science education programme that provides teacher professional development, teaching materials, and research-grade lab equipment to secondary schools in the UK and Ireland.

The Amgen Scholars Programme is a €42 million global initiative which launched in Europe in 2008 and is aimed at providing undergraduates the opportunity to engage in compelling summer scientific research experience at five European major institutions. Students are given the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research opportunities under top faculty mentors as well as attend an annual regional symposium at the University of Cambridge.

The Foundation’s programmes in Europe have already reached over 2,000 teachers, 634 undergraduates, and positively impacted around 200,000 secondary school students in the hope of inspiring the next generation of scientists.