College Students: Apply for the AWS re:Invent All Builders Welcome Grant
The All Builders Welcome (ABW) Grant covers the cost of attending and traveling to AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
You've been leading study jams, running workshops, and getting your peers excited about cloud and AI. You've built projects, organized events, and figured out how to explain EC2 to someone who's never opened a terminal. Now imagine attending the largest cloud conference in the world, surrounded by 60,000+ builders, with your trip fully covered by AWS.
That's what the All Builders Welcome (ABW) Grant offers. And this year, for the first time, a limited number of grants are reserved specifically for post-secondary students.
What is the ABW Grant?
The All Builders Welcome Grant covers the cost of attending and traveling to AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
This includes:
- Full conference pass that gives you access to: keynotes, breakout sessions, chalk talks, labs, the expo (yes, all of it)
- Airfare that covers round trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Hotel accommodations for the duration of the conference
The All Builders Welcome grant was created to give early-career technologists the support and access they need to succeed. You can read more full details on the ABW Grant article on Builder Center .
What can students learn at AWS re:Invent?
You've been learning about cloud and AI in class, in your Student Builder Group , or on your own time. re:Invent is where you see how all of that applies at scale.
You'll work with real AWS tools in real environments. Workshops and builder sessions give you hands-on labs. You'll build, break things, and learn by doing, the same way you do in your Student Builder Group, but with AWS in the room helping you level up.
You'll meet people who are 2–3 years ahead of you. The ABW cohort connects you with early-career technologists who recently made the jump from school to industry or changed careers. They remember what it was like. They can tell you what mattered and what didn't.
You'll build a network. These aren't vague LinkedIn connections. You'll spend a week alongside your cohort at receptions, mentorship sessions, and curated programming designed to create relationships that last well past the event.
You'll bring something back to your community. Past student attendees have returned to campus with new content for workshops, fresh connections to share, and a clearer picture of where tech careers are headed. If you're already leading a Student Builder Group, this experience gives you more to offer when you get back to school.
Who should apply?
This grant is for students and early career professionals who are already active in the builder community. You don't need to be a senior engineer. You do need to be engaged and ready to build.
You're a strong candidate if:
- You're an AWS Student Builder Group Leader (current or alumni, formerly known as Cloud Club Captain) who's been organizing workshops, study groups, or events on your campus
- You're a student leader involved in cloud, AI, or developer communities at your university
- You're at least 21 years of age
- You can articulate how attending re:Invent would benefit your community when you return
- If you're outside the U.S., you've confirmed you can get your travel documents and visa appointment(s) in time
For full eligibility details, review the Terms and Conditions .
If you're a Student Builder Group Leader (or alumni), read this:
You already know what it takes to rally a group of students around learning something new. You've hosted events, created content, and built a community from scratch or kept one going. That's exactly the kind of person this grant was designed for.
Whether you're currently leading a group or you were a Leader in a previous cohort and still contribute to the student builder ecosystem, this is your opportunity to invest in yourself the same way you've been investing in your community. The skills and connections you pick up at re:Invent will directly make your group stronger when you're back on campus.
What's included beyond the logistics?
Grant recipients get more than a trip. You'll be part of a curated experience:
- Cohort receptions so you connect with the group from day one
- Curated sessions focused on skill-building and career development
- Mentored learning with AWS experts who are invested in your growth
- Networking opportunities designed to build relationships that outlast the event
How to apply
Applications are open now and close on July 14, 2026.
For full eligibility details, review the Terms and Conditions .
Know someone who should apply?
If you know a Student Builder Group Leader, a former Cloud Club Captain, or a student who has been showing up and doing the work, share this with them. Sometimes the biggest barrier is knowing the opportunity exists.
Questions? Leave a comment below!
Enjoyed reading this content? Let the author know!
Your likes, comments, shares, and saves help creators reach more builders.
Loading recommendations
Loading article