Amazon has announced 500 new scholarships under its Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) programme in India, bringing the total number of scholarships awarded to 2,200. Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) is Amazon's global computer science education programme designed to increase access to technology education and career opportunities.
Since its launch in 2022, Amazon has invested ~₹50 crore (approx. USD 6 million) in AFE, building a structured pathway from scholarship to career for young women in technology. Beyond engineering scholarships, the programme's broader computer science education initiatives have reached 4.8 million students across more than 50,000 government schools in India.
“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,” says 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," she adds.
Announced on the sidelines of the inaugural Together India Summit, the expansion reflects Amazon’s continued focus on creating pathways to learn and build careers in technology.
What does AFE offer?
Each scholar receives:
- Financial assistance of ₹2 lakh over four years
- A laptop
- Technical training through bootcamps and webinars
- One-on-one mentorship opportunities at Amazon
- Opportunities to apply for paid eight-week internships at Amazon
The programme is implemented in partnership with the Foundation for Excellence, while NavGurukul delivers technical training to help scholars build industry-relevant skills.
From classrooms to careers in technology
Many scholars are first-generation college graduates from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, reflecting the programme’s reach across underserved regions in India. Graduates such as Sreya Mula from Telangana, now a Software Development Engineer, Keerthi Sankara from Andhra Pradesh, a Cloud Support Associate, and Anjali Ashtake from Nagpur, Maharashtra, now a Graduate Analyst at Deutsche Bank, are among those building careers in technology. Their journeys highlight how access to education, mentorship, and industry exposure can open pathways to long-term opportunities. As the programme continues to scale, it is enabling more young women across India to build meaningful careers in technology and contribute to the country’s growing digital economy.
AFE's ripple effect
To date, about 400 scholars have completed internships across various technical roles at Amazon, with hundreds more set to take up internships in the coming months as newer cohorts become eligible.
As the programme scales, its impact extends well beyond individual success stories, creating a multiplier effect across communities that have had limited access to careers in technology.
