# AWS Funding

DarcyIQ provides an AI-powered AWS Funding Recommendation system that helps partners identify, stack, and calculate eligible AWS funding across programs. The engine is **data-driven and configuration-based** — new programs can be added without requiring a new DarcyIQ deployment.

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**Smart Program Matching**: Enter your customer's project details (or paste an AWS Calculator URL) and DarcyIQ will identify which programs apply, calculate funding across credits and cash, and recommend an optimized engagement pathway.
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## Overview

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

| Feature                        | Capability                                                                                   | Business Impact                                   |
| ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Program Stacking**           | Identify which programs can be combined for a given opportunity, with dependency enforcement | Maximize total funding per deal                   |
| **Funding Calculation**        | Compute total eligible funding across credits and cash, with multi-formula support           | Accurate, detailed funding estimates              |
| **Discretionary Funding**      | Surface discretionary funding opportunities beyond standard program amounts                  | Unlock additional funding potential               |
| **SPI Add-On Funding**         | Calculate SPI uplift amounts per applicable program                                          | Capture bonus funding on top of base amounts      |
| **AWS Calculator Integration** | Paste a calculator.aws URL and auto-extract services and spend                               | Streamline data entry and improve accuracy        |
| **Program Matching**           | Hybrid matching using AWS API + configured rules                                             | Up-to-date, organization-specific recommendations |
| **AI Reasoning**               | LLM-powered explanations for each recommendation                                             | Clear rationale for program fit                   |
| **Application Tracking**       | Monitor submission status across programs                                                    | Keep applications on track                        |

## Supported Programs

The funding engine supports a broad catalog of AWS partner funding programs. Your organization's available programs depend on your AWS partner tier and what has been enabled by your admin.

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The program catalog is configuration-driven. New programs can be added to the engine without a platform update. To see which programs are available for your organization, run a funding analysis or contact your DarcyIQ admin.
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## 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, project type, estimated AWS spend/ARR, and technologies involved. Alternatively, paste an **AWS Calculator URL** and the engine will automatically extract services, costs, and annual spend.
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**Program Discovery** DarcyIQ queries the AWS Partner Central Benefits API to discover currently available funding programs, then matches them to your organization's configured program rules.
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**Eligibility & Stacking** Eligible programs are evaluated for stacking compatibility. The engine enforces dependency rules (e.g., Assess must precede Mobilize) and identifies which programs can be combined for maximum funding.
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**Funding Calculation** For each eligible program, the engine calculates funding amounts broken down by **cash** and **credits**, including discretionary and SPI add-on funding where applicable.
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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 a recommended engagement pathway.
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### Input Criteria

| Criteria             | Options                                                            | How It's Used                                      |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Customer Segment** | SMB, Enterprise, Greenfield, Partner, Startup                      | Filters programs by eligible segments              |
| **Project Type**     | Migration, Build, Modernize, General (can select multiple)         | Matches to program paths                           |
| **AWS Spend / ARR**  | Annual dollar amount (auto-extracted from Calculator URL)          | Applies spend threshold rules and funding formulas |
| **Technologies**     | List of technologies involved (auto-extracted from Calculator URL) | Matches technology-specific programs               |
| **Calculator URL**   | A calculator.aws estimate link                                     | Auto-extracts services, costs, and ARR             |

### What You Get Back

Each recommendation includes:

| Field                     | Description                                                                        |
| ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Program Name**          | The AWS funding program (e.g., MAP Assess, POC, Well Architected Framework Review) |
| **Calculated Funding**    | Funding amount broken down by cash and credits                                     |
| **Discretionary Funding** | Whether additional discretionary funding may be available                          |
| **SPI Bonuses**           | Any SPI uplift amounts applicable to the program                                   |
| **Recommended Sequence**  | Optimal order to apply for stacked programs, with dependency enforcement           |
| **Engagement Pathway**    | Grouped program families with submission order and execution steps                 |
| **AI Reasoning**          | LLM-generated explanation of why this program matches                              |
| **Contract Requirements** | What's needed before applying                                                      |

### AWS Calculator Integration

If your customer has an AWS Calculator estimate, paste the URL directly into the funding engine. DarcyIQ will:

1. **Extract all AWS services** listed in the estimate
2. **Pull monthly and annual cost figures** to determine ARR
3. **Identify technologies** from the services for program matching
4. **Pre-fill the funding analysis** so you can run recommendations with a single click

This eliminates manual data entry and ensures the funding engine works with the same numbers your customer is planning around.

## 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](/integrations-and-configuration/integration-overview.md)                                                     |
| **ACE Integration**        | Configure the [AWS ACE Integration](/integrations-and-configuration/integration-overview/aws/aws-ace-integration.md) 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                                                                                                                |
| --------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Paste the AWS Calculator URL**        | Auto-extracts services and spend — no manual data entry and more accurate results                                             |
| **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 and stacking opportunities |
| **Review stacking recommendations**     | Combined programs often yield significantly more funding than individual applications                                         |
| **Check for discretionary funding**     | Programs marked with discretionary funding may offer additional amounts beyond the standard calculation                       |
| **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 program stacking with dependency enforcement. If your project qualifies for an Assess phase, completing it first may unlock Mobilize and Migrate programs with substantially higher funding — the engine handles this sequencing automatically.
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