AWS AI & ML ScholarShip Programs

Last Updated : 26 Apr, 2024

AWS AI & ML Scholarship Programs were introduced with the intent of bridge the diversity gap in the field of technology. The dynamic scholarship has been structured in a way to help underserved and underrepresented students get adequate mentorship and guidance while preparing for their careers in AI and ML. With technological advancement, it has been observed that not every person has equal access to education, therefore, it is necessary to provide such scholarships that can provide beginners with a chance to enhance their skills. In this article, we will see some unique features of this global initiative and how it has been successful in imparting education.

What is AWS AI & ML ScholarShip?

AWS AI & ML Scholarship is a program that has been initiated by AWS in collaboration with Udacity to provide a platform to the underrepresented section of society with a chance to learn the necessary skills required to form a career in technology.

AWS AI & ML ScholarShip

Here is a list of AWS AI & ML programs that offer ScholarShip:

AWS DeepRacer Student
Introducing Generative AI with AWS
Deep Learning & ML Engineer Nanodegree
AI Programming with Python Nanodegree

What is AWS DeepRacer?

The AWS DeepRacer is a reinforcement model provided by AWS for providing learners with the opportunity to apply their learning about machine learning on the race car model. The AWS DeepRacer provides with you these features:

Study model training and machine learning from the modules provided in the course.
Select a model using create the model and name it as you wish.
To train the car model, it provides with different track options and you are required to choose an environment for your model.
To train the model, you need some algorithms. Generally, there are two algorithms named Proximal Policy Optimization(PPO) and Soft Actor-Critic (SAC), you can choose any.
Now, you need to select a reward function i.e the reward for your car when the car:
- Follows a centerline.
- Drives within a certain border.
- When it prevents the zig-zag motion of the car.
The final step is deciding the duration for which your model must be trained along with the parameter values.
Finally when your model is trained, see how it performed using the leaderboard and make any changes if required.

Aim of the Scholarship

The program aims to provide free tutoring and mentoring to 2500 students across the globe and help them get the adequate resources needed for starting their career in technology. Through this program, AWS aims to introduce a diverse workforce in the future that can pursue their career in technology without any financial restrictions. This program aims to mentor underserved or underrepresented students in tech. The scholarship has successfully implemented many cohorts and students themselves speak about the benefits they had from these programs.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for applying for the scholarship are as follows:

The applicant must be a part of an underserved and underrepresented section of society.
The applicant must be 16+ years old.
The applicant must be enrolled in a high school, university, or community college.
The applicant must have a genuine interest in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

Timeline to Apply

There are two cohorts every year, summer and winter. Dates for winter cohorts are provided when summer application ends.

Timeline of application

Here are the dates to apply for AWS AI & ML ScholarShip as of 2024.

November 1, 2023: Applicants need to complete the prerequisites of AWS DeepRacer Student.
February 1, 2024: The applications for the 2024 scholarship summer cohort open in Udacity.
May 31, 2024: The applications close for the 2024 scholarship summer cohort.
June 19, 2024: The curriculum for the Nanodegree program AI Programming with Python begins.
October 16, 2024: The applications for the 2024 scholarship winter cohort open in Udacity.
February 14, 2025: The applications close for the 2024 scholarship winter cohort.
May 5, 2025: The advanced Udacity NanoDegree 2 begins.
June 6, 2025: The advanced Udacity NanoDegree 2 compltes.

How can AWS DeepRacer help you get a Udacity Scholarship?

The first step involves applying for the scholarship. You can visit the official AWS website and check out the different programs they have to offer. Here is how you can continue once you have decided to apply in AWS DeepRacer. The deepracer is a short program that has modules of basic machine learning and which allows you to put your knowledge to use bu bulding a race car model using built-in consoles and algorithms. Let us see the different phases of the program.

Phases of Program

Login to the AWS DeepRacer Student provided by AWS free of cost. Here is the link to apply.
Learn the material provided and start your journey by using ML to build an autonomous vehicle in a 3D simulated environment.
Train your model and improve the accuracy to get on the top of the leaderboard.
Once you have completed the application and submitted it, you will be prequalified and AWS will prepare you for the scholarship content ahead. (Note that you need a minimum score of 80% or better on all required assessments on AWS DeepRacer Student learning modules)
After this around 2500 students will be selected globally for the AWS AI & ML ScholarShip. You will receive an email update stating that you have been selected.

Where to apply?

To apply for the scholarship, you need to be registered at the official AWS portal. Here are the details regarding applying for the scholarship.
- Link: https://aws.amazon.com/machine-learning/scholarship/
You need to have an official email ID to register on the site. Fill in the details and register yourself as a user. Later, you need to go to the Deep Racer program available on the AWS website and enroll in the program.
- Link: https://student.deepracer.com/signIn?redirectUrl=%2Fhome
Once you enroll yourself in the program, you will receive a confirmation email with details of the further steps needed to complete the modules.

What to prepare?

The AWS AI & ML ScholarShip Program is a machine learning program and you need some previous knowledge of machine learning. Here is what you should prepare for the scholarship.

One must be aware of programming basic codes, the language preferref is Python.
It is a good idea to brush up your concepts about basic statistics.
Before training your model, be aware of the AWS DeepRacer console and the RL concepts to perform well on the leaderboard.
Carefully refer to all the modules provided by AWS before attempting the quizes.
Get connected to mentors, friends and other students on slack to clear your doubts.

Best Resources and guide to prepare

Here are some resources to ensure you perform well in AWS AI & ML ScholarShip Programs

In order to prepare well for the scholarship, you need to be aware of AWS Deepracer league. To do so, you can refer to Deepracer details or udacity course.
To ensure string fundamentals of ML, you can refer to this link. https://aws.amazon.com/ai/resources/?ml-resources-cards.sort-by=item.additionalFields.sortOrder&ml-resources-cards.sort-order=asc&awsf.filter-content-type=*all&awsf.filter-industry=*all&awsf.filter-ml-lifecycle=*all&awsf.filter-use-case=*all&awsf.filter-source=*all&awsf.filter-audience=*all

Perks of Scholarship

Once you get the scholarship, you get an access to a lot of resources like:

You get to be a part of a detailed comprehensive AI training program without any fee.
You get to work on industry-level projects that require real-world knowledge and will hone your skills that will be used in your job field.
You get to learn under tutors from Udacity who have a lot of experience in this field. This tutoring is provided to you without any tuition fee.
You get to have free doubt sessions and one-to-one mentorship sessions with industry mentors who are experts in this field.
You get unlimited access to career development resources which will polish your artificial intelligence and machine learning skills.