Become a student leader on your campus and unlock pathways to internships and job opportunities
by Trang Le, Elise Hollowed and Joe Nash
The landscape of technology is shifting at an unprecedented pace. From the rise of AI to the massive scale of data, the tools that define the future are being built today. At Databricks, we believe that the students of today are the builders of tomorrow. That is why we are launching: Databricks Student Fellows—an initiative that helps you, as a student leader, build Databricks skills that set you apart.
Databricks Student Fellows is an exclusive opportunity for university and college students who are passionate about computer science, AI, and data engineering to become leaders on their campus. Whether you are just beginning your coding journey or you are already diving deep into AI models, this program is designed to turn your data expertise into a career in data and AI. Student Fellows are standout contributors to their campuses, their projects, and beyond.
Becoming a Student Fellow is about more than just adding a line to your resume—it’s about digging in. As a Student Fellow, you will continue to build real-world skills and tackle impactful problems using the Databricks platform - used by millions of data and AI professionals.
As a Student Fellow, you will:
As a Databricks Student Fellow, your primary mission is to foster a community of learners. You will receive specialized training from Databricks experts, giving you the "inside track" on how our technology works. Armed with this knowledge, you will host events that inspire your peers, share resources that help others build, and create a network of like-minded student leaders.
The future of AI will be built in classrooms, dorm rooms, student clubs, and through the collaboration of students like you. Databricks Student Fellows is your invitation to step into the spotlight, sharpen your technical edge, and lead your campus into the next era of data and AI.
Learn more about the program and apply. We’re accepting our first cohort of Student Fellows now. We can’t wait to see how you’ll inspire the next generation of developers and builders.
Any university or college student who is passionate about computer science, artificial intelligence, or data engineering can apply, regardless of how far along they are in their studies. The program welcomes students just beginning their coding journey as well as those already working with advanced AI models. What matters most is a willingness to build real-world skills and take on a leadership role on campus.
Student Fellows is a leadership track that sits within the broader Databricks University Alliance, the company's global program for giving universities, educators, and students free access to Databricks' data and AI tools. University Alliance membership on its own offers course access and certification discounts to any enrolled student, while Student Fellows additionally asks participants to lead campus events and act as a community bridge to Databricks. Students can join the University Alliance directly or apply separately for the Fellows track.
As of June 2025, the Databricks University Alliance supports more than 1,200 institutions and over 100,000 students worldwide. The network spans multiple regions, with about 38% of member schools in the U.S., 33% in EMEA, 15% in APAC, and 14% in LATAM. This global reach gives Student Fellows a sizable community of peers to learn from and connect with.
Yes, the program is designed to move Fellows a step closer to an internship, since building real-world experience on the Databricks platform can support applications to internship opportunities with Databricks, its customers, or its partners. Databricks also runs a dedicated University Program for interns and new graduates that includes engineering hackathons and other events. Student Fellows gives students a head start on the skills and visibility that program looks for.
Yes, Databricks Academy training is free for learners at every level, not just Student Fellows, covering role-based courses in data engineering, data analysis, machine learning, and generative AI. This free access builds on the University Alliance's existing model, which already reaches over 1,200 institutions worldwide. Students can browse the full training catalog to find courses relevant to their interests.
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