Add MobiGyaan as a preferred source on GoogleAmazon has announced the addition of 500 new scholarships for 2026 under its Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) program in India. The initiative is aimed at supporting female engineering students from low-income backgrounds, providing financial aid, mentorship, and career opportunities in the tech sector. With this expansion, the program now supports 2,000 active scholars in India.
The announcement was made during the Together India Summit, aligning with Amazon’s broader initiatives:
- Together at Amazon
- In This Together
These programs focus on skills development, accessibility, and career pathways for students.
Scholarship Benefits and Structure
The AFE scholarship offers end-to-end support for selected students pursuing B.E./B.Tech in computer science or related fields. Key benefits include:
- Financial Aid: ₹2 lakh over 4 years
- Laptop Support: Device provided to each scholar
- Skill Development: Bootcamps and webinars via Amazon WoW (Women of the World)
- Mentorship: One-on-one guidance from Amazon engineers
- Internship: Paid 8-week internship after second year
This structure ensures students gain both academic and industry exposure.
Program Growth and Outcomes
- Launched in 2022 with 200 scholars
- Expanded to 500 annual scholarships in 2023
- Now supports 2,000 students in India
Placement Success:
- 89% placement rate (2025 cohort)
- Graduates placed in Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon
Internship Impact:
- ~400 scholars have completed internships
- More students expected to join as new cohorts progress
The program has enabled students from tier-2 and tier-3 cities to enter the tech workforce.
Notable Outcomes:
- Sreya Mula (Telangana) → Software Development Engineer
- Keerthi Sankara (Andhra Pradesh) → Cloud Support Associate
- Anjali Ashtake (Nagpur) → Graduate Analyst at Deutsche Bank
Many participants are first-generation college students, highlighting the program’s inclusivity.
Amazon has invested approximately ₹50 crore (~$6 million) in the program since 2022. Implementation partners are ‘Foundation for Excellence’ and ‘NavGurukul’. These partners support scholarship distribution, training, and career readiness.
Beyond scholarships, the AFE program has reached:
- 4.8 million students
- Across 50,000+ government schools
- Focus areas: Computer science and AI education (2021 – 2025)
Candi Castleberry, Vice President of Amazon eXperiences and Upskilling, said, “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.”
