Program

AWS Partner proof-of-concept funding

If you're testing a new workload with an AWS consulting partner, AWS can fund part of the proof of concept through credits or partner fees.

AWS Partner proof-of-concept funding is for companies running a proof of concept with an AWS Partner. Varies by project.

Credits: Project-based
Requested by: An AWS Partner or account manager
Stage: Any, with a real workload
Application: Partner submits it

At a glance

Credits: Up to $25,000
Access: Invite only

Official application page

01 · Overview

A good fit if you are

Companies trialling AWS for a new workload
Teams already talking to an AWS Partner

Not for

Solo founders with no partner
Workloads already live on AWS

Timeline and terms

Application window: Rolling, per customer opportunity, via a fund request in the AWS Partner Funding Portal (AWS Partner Central).
Program length: Length of the POC project (short, small-scale); no fixed term published.
Cash: Yes, to the partner: POC cash is paid on completion and customer sign-off (alternative to credits). Requires an Amazon Payee Central account.
Where: No geographic limit published.

Up to 10% of the opportunity's projected year-1 ARR, max USD 25,000, and capped at the cost of the SOW or project plan. Paid as cash OR AWS Promotional Credits (AWS DC Summit 2024 partner deck).

What changed recently

2026-07-20
Partner Central agents expanded to give guidance on all AWS Partner funding programs (and to automate Strategic Collaboration Agreement and AWS Growth Initiative funding). Source
2026-03 (agents launch)
AWS Partner Central agents launched to automate the full funding lifecycle for four funding programs: validating eligibility and drafting fund requests. AWS doesn't name the four on the What's New page. Source
2025-10 to 2026-03 (between Wayback snapshots)
The public Funding Benefits page added the AWS Marketplace Private Offer Promotion Program. POC was never listed as a separate tile there (2023-2026). Source

02 · Eligibility

Hard eligibility rules

You must

Joined the AWS Partner Network and reached Validated stage or higher on the Software, Services or Hardware path
A customer opportunity that hasn't fully committed to adopting AWS
Small-scale project to test the feasibility and function of a solution
SOW or project plan with cost, and projected year-1 ARR
Amazon Payee Central account for cash claims
Customer sign-off on completion (for cash)

Excluded

End customers applying directly (they must go through a partner)
Partners below Validated stage
Customers already fully committed to AWS (for those, MAP or other programs apply)

Have this ready before you apply

AWS Partner Central account at Validated stage or higher
Customer opportunity in ACE / Partner Central with projected year-1 ARR
SOW or project plan with cost
Amazon Payee Central account (cash)
Customer sign-off on completion (cash claim)

03 · How to apply

How to apply

1
Talk to your AWS account manager or an AWS Partner.
2
Agree the scope and success criteria.
3
The partner applies for funding on your behalf.

What catches founders out

You can't apply directly; it goes through a partner.
Funding is tied to agreed milestones.

What founders report Show

Summarised from public founder posts. Anecdotal, not official AWS policy.

Approval times reported

2-4 weeks turnaround (third-party guide; not an AWS figure)

Gotchas

Startups can only reach POC funding through an AWS Partner; partners advertise 'AWS credits for UAT/POC' on founder subreddits
The amount scales with projected ARR (10%), so small workloads get proportionally small funding

04 · Credits & stacking

What the credits cover

Covered

Credits (if chosen) are issued upfront to offset AWS usage during the POC; standard eligible services under the Promotional Credit Terms

Not covered

Amazon Mechanical Turk
AWS Managed Services
Ineligible AWS Support (Enterprise, Unified Operations, Enterprise On-Ramp, resold support, Partner-Led Support)
AWS Marketplace
AWS Professional Services
AWS Training
AWS Certification
Amazon Route 53 domain name registration or transfer
Services used for cryptocurrency mining
Upfront fees for Savings Plans and Reserved Instances
Any other services designated by your AWS contracting entity
Costs above the SOW or project-plan cost

Stacking with other credits

Can combine with

MAP funding later in the same customer journey (POC is for customers not yet committed; MAP is for migrations)
APN Innovation Sandbox credits (partner's own development)
Marketing Development Funds (separate)

Can't combine with

Other AWS promotional offers on the same usage, unless AWS authorises it (Promotional Credit Terms s.6)

Lifetime cap: USD 25,000 maximum per POC fund request (2024 construct); no published annual or lifetime cap per partner or customer.

05 · Alternatives

If this isn't the right program

AWS Migration Acceleration Program
Funding for moving existing workloads to AWS.
AWS Activate Portfolio
Up to $200,000 through an accelerator, angel or VC.

Sources

AWS Partner Funding

Checked October 2026. AWS can change amounts and rules at any time.

Facts on this page checked against official sources on 2026-10-04.

Questions

Is POC funding for startups?

It can be, but it's aimed at specific projects with a partner rather than general runway.

Prices and credit amounts are estimates and may change. Check AWS for current terms.