Amazon ML Challenge 2026
By Amazon India
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Quick Answer
Amazon's online machine-learning hackathon for engineering students in India. Top three teams win cash prizes of up to ₹1 lakh. The 2026 round is closed.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹1L
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Amazon India
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Eligible stage
- Idea
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 22 September 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Amazon India. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The 2026 Amazon ML Challenge is closed: registration shut on 22 September 2026 (the 72-hour hackathon ran from 25 to 27 September, and the finale was held on 7 October 2026). The official page does not announce a 2027 edition, so treat this page as preparation for the next one. This is a competition for students, not a funding programme for startups.
The challenge is run by Amazon for students at engineering campuses across India, so it is open only to people studying in India. Teams work on an Amazon dataset to solve a real-world problem and compete for cash prizes of up to ₹1,00,000, credits, and a route to interviews at Amazon.
What the program offers
The winning team gets ₹1,00,000 in cash, the first runners-up ₹75,000 and the second runners-up ₹50,000, each with certificates and goodies. Every registered participant receives US$200 worth of credits to build with, and the top 500 teams at the 48-hour mark get another US$100 in credits. The top 10 teams, and the top 10 women-only teams, receive certificates and Amazon swag. The top 50 teams earn pre-placement interviews for the Applied Scientist Intern role at Amazon. For a student, the interview route may be worth more than the cash.
Who can apply
You must be a full-time student pursuing a PhD, M.E., M.Tech., M.S., MS by Research, B.E. or B.Tech. at an engineering campus in India, and your graduation year must be 2027 or 2028. Teams have 2 to 4 members and a team leader. Cross-college teams are allowed, but a student cannot be in more than one team.
This suits students who already work comfortably with machine learning on tabular or text data and can code in a team under time pressure. It does not suit working professionals, students outside India, or those graduating in other years.
How to apply
The 2026 edition worked in steps:
- Create an AWS Builder Center Profile ID using Amazon's setup guide, before registering.
- Register the team during the registration window, giving each member's valid AWS Builder Center alias. An invalid alias means an incomplete registration.
- Take part in the 72-hour online hackathon. All teams get the problem statement and dataset on day 1 and submit by day 3. In 2026, the first round only needed a TSV results file, and a ZIP file was needed for the next round.
- Top teams are invited to the finale.
A practical tip: set up the profile ID and agree on your team and roles well before the window opens, because alias errors are the easiest way to lose a place.
How teams are judged and what happens next
A live leaderboard reflects team rankings during the hackathon. Based on the leaderboard and the solution document submitted at the end of the first round, the top 10 teams are invited to the Grand Finale to present their solutions to Amazon's scientists. In 2026 the finale was hosted live virtually on 7 October, so no travel was needed. The page does not state the exact scoring metric for the leaderboard.
About Amazon's challenge
The Amazon ML Challenge is a yearly Amazon competition that gives students real company data. The page describes it as a two-step competition, and registration was handled on the Unstop platform.
Things to check before you apply
- Entry appears to be free; the saved page lists no fee.
- Credits are for cloud and tools used during the challenge, not cash.
- Dates of the next edition are not announced, so keep your AWS Builder Center profile ready.
- Check the official guidelines for submission format, since the file requirements may change each year.
- Because it is limited to students in India, an Indian college team can plan on this as a yearly opportunity.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Amazon India backs Indian startups through a corporate venture fund, two accelerator programmes and two seller-onboarding programmes. The fund is the Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund (ASVF), which Amazon launched in 2021 as an India-dedicated fund for early-stage startups. Amazon…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹1L
What You Get
The winning team gets a cash prize of ₹1,00,000, the first runners-up ₹75,000 and the second runners-up ₹50,000, each with certificates and goodies. All registered participants get US$200 worth of credits to build with, and the top 500 teams at the 48-hour mark get another US$100 in credits. The top 10 teams and the top 10 women-only teams get certificates and Amazon swag, and the top 50 teams get pre-placement interviews for the Applied Scientist Intern role at Amazon.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Teams are ranked on a live leaderboard during the 72-hour hackathon. Based on the leaderboard and the solution document submitted at the end of the first round, the top 10 teams are invited to present to Amazon's scientists at a virtual Grand Finale, where the winners are picked.
Application Process
- 1
AWS Builder ID
Create an AWS Builder Center profile ID for each member.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amazon ML Challenge 2026 still open?
No. Registration closed on 22 September 2026, the hackathon ran from 25 to 27 September, and the Grand Finale was on 7 October 2026. The page does not announce a next edition.
Who can take part in the Amazon ML Challenge?
Full-time PhD, M.E., M.Tech., M.S., MS by Research, B.E. and B.Tech. students at engineering campuses in India graduating in 2027 or 2028. Teams need 2 to 4 members and a team leader.
Can students outside India join?
The page says the challenge is for engineering campuses across India. It does not list any route for students studying elsewhere.
How big can a team be?
A team has 2 to 4 members. Members may come from different colleges, but one student can only be in one team.
What are the prizes?
The winners get ₹1,00,000, the first runners-up ₹75,000 and the second runners-up ₹50,000, plus certificates and goodies. All registered participants get US$200 in credits.
Do the top teams get job interviews?
Yes. The top 50 teams earn pre-placement interviews for the Applied Scientist Intern role at Amazon. The page does not promise a job offer.
Do I need an AWS account to register?
You need an AWS Builder Center Profile ID, and you must give a valid alias during registration. An invalid alias leaves your registration incomplete.
Is the finale in person?
No. The 2026 Grand Finale was hosted live virtually on 7 October 2026, so no travel was needed.
Is it free to enter?
The saved page lists no entry fee. It is run through the Unstop platform, so check that page for any fee in a future edition.
Is the Amazon ML Challenge a grant for startups?
No. It is a student competition with cash prizes, credits and interview opportunities. It does not give equity or startup funding.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
