- 500 fresh scholarships for 2026 take Amazon Future Engineer tally to 2,200 scholars nationwide
- ₹2 lakh support over four years, laptops, mentorship and paid internships power access to STEM careers
- First graduating cohort posts an impressive 89% placement rate across top global firms
- Programme footprint spans 4.8 million students in 50,000+ government schools across India
- Focus sharpens on tier-2 and tier-3 India, unlocking pathways for first-generation graduates
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAY 5
In a decisive push to bridge the gender gap in technology, Amazon has expanded its flagship Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) programme, announcing 500 new scholarships for 2026 aimed at empowering women from low-income backgrounds to pursue careers in computer science.
With this latest addition, the initiative now supports 2,200 scholars, reinforcing its ambition to create a robust pipeline of women technologists across India.
The AFE scholarship offers ₹2 lakh in financial assistance over four years to female students enrolled in B.E. or B.Tech programmes in computer science and allied disciplines. The support extends beyond funding—each scholar receives a laptop, access to intensive technical bootcamps, webinars led by Amazon Women of the World (WoW), one-on-one mentorship from Amazon engineers, and paid eight-week internships after their second year.
“Every student deserves the opportunity to discover their potential. With the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarships, we’re investing in the leaders who will shape the future of work—the talented, determined students in communities across India,” said Candi Castleberry, Vice President of Amazon eXperiences and Upskilling.
“The 2026 scholarship recipients demonstrate what’s possible when we create upskilling pathways together and remove the barriers standing between young people and their dreams.”
The expansion was unveiled on the sidelines of the inaugural Together India Summit, aligning with Amazon’s broader vision of enabling future-ready careers through structured learning pathways. Internal initiatives such as Together at Amazon and In This Together aim to connect employees, students, and communities with skill-building opportunities and career access.
Strong Outcomes, Real Impact
Launched in 2022 with just 200 scholars, the programme has scaled rapidly, offering 500 scholarships annually since 2023. Selection is based on academic merit, financial need, and leadership potential.
The results are already visible. The first graduating cohort of 2025 has recorded an 89% placement rate, with students securing roles across Amazon and other Fortune 500 companies. Around 400 scholars have completed internships in technical roles so far, with many more in the pipeline.
Notably, a significant number of beneficiaries are first-generation college students from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, underscoring the programme’s reach into underserved regions.
Success stories include Sreya Mula, now a Software Development Engineer; Keerthi Sankara, a Cloud Support Associate; and Anjali Ashtake, currently a Graduate Analyst at Deutsche Bank—each exemplifying the transformative potential of targeted interventions in education.
From Classrooms to Careers
Since 2022, Amazon has invested approximately ₹50 crore (USD 6 million) into the AFE programme, building a seamless pathway from education to employment. The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Foundation for Excellence, while NavGurukul delivers industry-aligned technical training.
Beyond scholarships, Amazon’s broader computer science education efforts have reached 4.8 million students across more than 50,000 government schools between 2021 and 2025, equipping young learners with foundational skills in coding and artificial intelligence.
As India sharpens its focus on digital transformation, Amazon’s scaled-up intervention signals a deeper commitment to inclusive tech education—where talent, not background, defines opportunity.
