Free Programs from Major Tech Companies Empowering Women in 2026

The numbers still aren't where they should be. Women make up only about 22% of AI professionals, 12% of AI researchers, and 16% of AI faculty worldwide. At Women AI Labs, we don't believe that gap reflects a gap in talent — it reflects a gap in access. Access to mentors, to credentials, to the networks where careers are built.

The good news: some of the biggest companies in the world are handing that access out for free right now. Mentorship, certifications, scholarships, community — no cost, often no prerequisites, many open globally. We've gathered the strongest ones below so you don't have to go hunting.

One is closing tomorrow, so start there.

1. AWS She Builds Mentorship Program 2026 ⏰ Closes June 30

If you do one thing this week, do this.

Amazon Web Services pairs women worldwide with experienced AWS professionals for 12 weeks of free, one-on-one mentorship — career guidance, leadership development, networking, and virtual sessions with senior AWS leaders. Mentors are matched to your goals and experience level.

  • Who: Women at any stage — students, early-career, career changers, experienced practitioners
  • Cost: Free (you'll create a free AWS Builder ID)
  • Format: Virtual, 12 weeks (Sept 1 – Nov 30, 2026)
  • No certifications required
  • Deadline: June 30, 2026 (11:59 PM PDT) — tomorrow
  • Apply: pulse.aws/survey/QOY68FSB

2. AI Skills 4 Women — Founderz × Microsoft

A free, fully online AI course built for women with no technical background required — available in 13+ languages. You'll cover AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, AI ethics, and practical applications, and earn an official Founderz + Microsoft credential for your LinkedIn. Top performers can win one of 150 scholarships (worth €950 each) to Founderz' AI & Innovation Certificate Program.

In 2025, more than 57,000 women across 30 countries completed it and built over 600 real AI projects.

  • Who: Any woman, anywhere — students, professionals, entrepreneurs, career switchers
  • Cost: Free
  • Format: Online, self-paced, ~3 hours of core content
  • Deadline: Rolling enrollment — open now
  • Apply: founderz.com/ai-skills-4-women

3. IBM SkillsBuild

The best "start anytime" option on this list. IBM offers 1,000+ free courses in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics — in 20+ languages — with IBM-branded digital credentials you can show employers. There's a dedicated SkillsBuild for Women track with mentorship and community, plus a six-course AI Fundamentals plan (~10 hours) to get started.

IBM has committed to training two million learners in AI by the end of 2026, with a focus on underrepresented communities.

  • Who: Open to all adult learners and students globally; women's track prioritizes underrepresented groups
  • Cost: Free
  • Format: Online — self-paced 24/7, plus guided cohorts with set dates
  • Deadline: None for self-paced learning
  • Start learning: skillsbuild.org

4. Google Women Techmakers

Free global membership that connects women in tech to community, events, workshops, mentorship, and resources — plus an annual Women Techmakers Scholarship (financial support, a funded retreat, and a global network) for women studying computer science and related fields. The program is now run by Technovation.

  • Who: Membership is free and open to all women in tech; the scholarship is for female university students in CS/engineering fields
  • Cost: Free membership
  • Format: Ongoing community; scholarship runs on an annual cycle
  • Deadline: Membership anytime; confirm the current scholarship cycle before applying
  • Join: technovation.org/women-techmakers

On the radar — worth bookmarking

These are strong but currently between cycles. Mark your calendar so you're ready when they reopen:

  • Women at Microsoft Scholarship — 26 awards of $5,000 each for women/gender-diverse high-school seniors heading into STEM degrees in the US (international students eligible if enrolling at a US institution). 2026 cycle has closed; watch for 2027.
  • Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator — over $600,000 in grants for women-led startups across Africa, the Middle East, and Pakistan. Country-specific deadlines — especially relevant for our MENA community.
  • Village Capital × Standard Chartered US Women in Tech Accelerator — free accelerator for US-based women-led startups, with $25,000 grants for selected founders. Annual — watch for the next cohort.
  • NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute — free deep-learning course access through the NVIDIA Developer Program.

A final word from Women AI Labs

You don't have to wait for permission, and you don't have to pay to get started. Every program above was built to open a door — the only thing left is to walk through it. Pick one this week. Mentorship, a credential, a community — any of them can be the turning point in your AI or tech career.

And if a program here would help a woman you know, send it to her. The fastest way to close the gap is to bring someone with you.

Which of these are you applying to? Tell us — we'd love to cheer you on.