# AWS Funding

DarcyIQ helps you identify and apply for AWS partner funding programs by **analyzing your customer projects and matching them to eligible programs** using a hybrid AI engine that combines AWS Partner Central data with intelligent eligibility rules.

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**Smart Program Matching**: Enter your customer's project details and DarcyIQ will identify which AWS funding programs apply, estimate funding amounts, and explain why each program is a good fit.
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**Experimental Feature**: This feature is in experimental phase. We're actively refining recommendations based on user feedback and success patterns.
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## Overview

The funding engine analyzes your customer projects against available AWS funding programs and returns ranked recommendations with estimated amounts and AI-generated reasoning.

| Feature                         | Capability                                       | Business Impact                          |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Eligibility Analysis**        | AI evaluates projects against program criteria   | Quickly identify applicable programs     |
| **Program Matching**            | Hybrid matching using AWS API + configured rules | Accurate, up-to-date recommendations     |
| **Funding Estimates**           | Estimated funding amounts per program            | Understand potential value               |
| **AI Reasoning**                | LLM-powered explanations for each recommendation | Clear rationale for program fit          |
| **Opportunity Recommendations** | Get funding suggestions for ACE pipeline deals   | Maximize funding on active opportunities |
| **Application Tracking**        | Monitor submission status across programs        | Keep applications on track               |

## How It Works

### Funding Eligibility Engine

The engine uses a hybrid approach that combines real-time AWS Partner Central data with organization-specific eligibility rules.

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**Enter Project Details** Provide customer information including segment (SMB or SUP), project type, estimated AWS spend/ARR, and technologies involved.
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**Program Discovery** DarcyIQ queries the AWS Partner Central Benefits API to discover currently available funding programs.
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**Rules-Based Matching** Discovered programs are matched against configured eligibility rules — filtering by segment, project type, spend thresholds, and technology requirements.
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**AI-Powered Recommendations** An LLM analyzes the matches and generates clear explanations for why each program fits your project, along with recommended program sequences.
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### Input Criteria

| Criteria             | Options                                                    | How It's Used                         |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **Customer Segment** | SMB, SUP                                                   | Filters programs by eligible segments |
| **Project Type**     | Migration, Build, Modernize, General (can select multiple) | Matches to program paths              |
| **AWS Spend / ARR**  | Annual dollar amount                                       | Applies spend threshold rules         |
| **Technologies**     | List of technologies involved                              | Matches technology-specific programs  |

### What You Get Back

Each recommendation includes:

| Field                    | Description                                                       |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Program Name**         | The AWS funding program (e.g., MAP Assess, POC, Database Freedom) |
| **Estimated Funding**    | Potential funding amount based on project criteria                |
| **Recommended Sequence** | Optimal order to apply for programs                               |
| **AI Reasoning**         | LLM-generated explanation of why this program matches             |
| **Prerequisites**        | What's needed before applying                                     |
| **Benefit ID / ARN**     | AWS identifiers for submission                                    |

## Opportunity Funding Recommendations

When viewing an ACE opportunity, DarcyIQ can analyze the deal and recommend applicable funding programs based on the opportunity details.

| Feature                    | Description                                                                  |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Automatic Analysis**     | Extracts segment, project type, spend, and technologies from the opportunity |
| **Segment Override**       | Manually adjust the segment if the auto-detection needs correction           |
| **Apply from Opportunity** | Jump directly into the application flow from a recommendation                |

## Application Tracking

The benefits dashboard lets you track the status of funding applications you've submitted.

| Status                 | Description                               |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Draft**              | Application started but not yet submitted |
| **Pending Submission** | Ready to submit to AWS                    |
| **Submitted**          | Application sent to AWS Partner Central   |
| **Under Review**       | AWS is reviewing the application          |
| **Approved**           | Funding confirmed                         |
| **Action Required**    | Additional information needed             |
| **Rejected**           | Application was not approved              |

### Dashboard Features

| Feature              | Description                                           |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Application List** | View all benefit applications with status and details |
| **Search & Filter**  | Find applications by status or search term            |
| **Status Sync**      | Sync latest status from AWS Partner Central           |
| **Detail View**      | Click into any application for full details           |

## Getting Started

### Prerequisites

| Requirement                | Details                                                                                                                                                                         |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **AWS Integration**        | Connect your AWS account under [Integrations](https://docs.darcyiq.com/integrations-and-configuration/integration-overview)                                                     |
| **ACE Integration**        | Configure the [AWS ACE Integration](https://docs.darcyiq.com/integrations-and-configuration/integration-overview/aws/aws-ace-integration) for opportunity-level recommendations |
| **Partner Central Access** | Your AWS partner account must have Benefits API access                                                                                                                          |

### Using the Funding Engine

1. Navigate to **AWS Funding** from the Partner navigation
2. Enter your customer's project details (segment, project type, ARR, technologies)
3. Click **Analyze** to get funding program recommendations
4. Review the matched programs, estimated funding, and AI reasoning
5. Apply for recommended programs through AWS Partner Central

### Getting Recommendations for an Opportunity

1. Open an opportunity in the **ACE Dashboard**
2. Navigate to the funding recommendations section
3. DarcyIQ will analyze the opportunity and suggest applicable programs
4. Optionally override the detected segment for more accurate results
5. Click **Apply** on any recommendation to begin the application

## Best Practices

| Practice                                | Why It Matters                                                                                     |
| --------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Provide accurate spend estimates**    | Funding amounts are calculated based on ARR — accurate inputs yield better recommendations         |
| **Select all applicable project types** | Some projects qualify for multiple paths (e.g., Migration + Modernize) which unlocks more programs |
| **List specific technologies**          | Technology-specific programs (like Database Freedom) require matching technologies                 |
| **Check recommendations early**         | Apply at the qualification stage for the best chance of approval                                   |
| **Review AI reasoning**                 | The explanations help you understand and communicate why a program fits                            |

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**Pro Tip**: The funding engine supports multiple project types per analysis. If your customer project involves both migration and modernization, select both to surface the full range of eligible programs.
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