Source: Amazon

Amazon has named Joseph Kasongo, a recent graduate of Quincy Upper School, as an Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipient for 2026. Kasongo will receive up to $40,000 over four years to pursue a degree in engineering at Washington University this fall. He’s one of five Massachusetts students — and among just 200 nationwide — to receive this honor. The award includes the opportunity to pursue a paid internship at Amazon after the first year of college to gain hands-on, practical work experience with mentorship from Amazon leaders.     

In 2025, Kasongo also participated in the Amazon-sponsored MassRobotics Drone Academy. It’s a one-week session where students build, program, and fly a drone. This helped earn him an internship at startup drone company Revolute Robotics.  

“I’m incredibly honored to receive the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship. I’m excited to continue building robotics technology that can solve real problems and inspire more students to pursue engineering.” – Joseph Kasongo, AFE 2026 Scholarship Recipient 

Recipients were selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community activities, work experience, future goals, and financial need. Amazon partnered with Scholarship America to review applications and select this year’s scholars.     

Voices of Support     

“From building and programming drones at our Amazon-sponsored Drone Academy to excelling in a real-world internship at our startup Revolute Robotics, Joseph’s growth has been inspiring. He combines deep technical curiosity with the discipline to deliver results. We are so proud to see him receive the well-deserved Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship. He is a standout student who will undoubtedly succeed in whatever path he chooses.” – Joyce Sidopolous, Co-Founder & COO of MassRobotics 

“I am so excited to see how Joseph takes this opportunity and turns it into a journey he will never forget, I know it has been truly transformative for me.” – Owen Bales, Previous AFE Scholarship Recipient, Current Harvard University Student 

“On behalf of Amazon’s more than 24,000 employees across the Commonwealth, we’re honored to support students’ ambitions through the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship. Combining financial support with real-world internship experience gives these scholars a meaningful head start as they pursue their careers.” — Jerome Smith, Head of Community Engagement for Amazon in New England & Canada 

“Massachusetts has long been a national leader in talent development, particularly in technology and innovation. Programs like Amazon Future Engineer are exactly the kind of investment that invests in this competitive advantage and keeps our talent pipeline strong. These students represent the bright future of Massachusetts’ tech workforce, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved honor.” – JD Chesloff, President & CEO, Massachusetts Business Roundtable 

Why It Matters     

Engineering is among the fastest-growing professions within the STEM fields. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the market for engineering occupations will grow up to 11% between 2024 and 2034, yet only 24.3% of STEM graduates earn an engineering degree, and only a small percentage of those come from underserved communities.     

Amazon Future Engineer aims to increase student access to computer science and engineering education by funding high-quality curriculum and educator professional development, in turn helping school districts build sustainable K–12 initiatives. In addition to its scholarship program, Amazon Future Engineer offers virtual class chats, Career Tours, and project-based learning modules that bring role models into classrooms.    

Amazon launched the scholarship program in 2019, awarding more than $70 million to over 1,700 students from historically underserved communities across the U.S. This year, Amazon committed up to $8 million in college tuition. 

Amazon in Massachusetts     

  • Since 2010, Amazon has invested $35 billion+ in Massachusetts, contributing $30 billion+ to the state’s GDP and supporting 24,000+ full- and part-time jobs. Amazon supports 20,000+ indirect jobs in Massachusetts in industries such as construction, logistics, and professional services.  
  • In 2025, Amazon donated $10 million+ to 80 local community organizations and delivered 800K+ meals on behalf of food banks and nonprofits.  
  • Over 2,300 Massachusetts employees have participated in Career Choice since 2019. Amazon’s upskilling program prepays tuition, books, and fees for front-line employees, building skills for in-demand careers through college degrees, industry certifications, and high school completion programs. Amazon partners with Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Bristol Community College, Middlesex Community College, Northern Essex Community College, Quinsigamond Community College, UMass Dartmouth, UMass Lowell, and University of Massachusetts Boston. 
  • Independent sellers in Massachusetts average $305,000+ in annual sales, with 77 million+ items sold through Amazon’s store.      

All investment and economic impact figures have been estimated by Keystone Strategy, a third-party consultancy.     

Fast Facts     

  • 5: Number of recent Massachusetts high school graduates receiving AFE Scholarships in 2026     
  • 200: Total AFE Scholarship recipients nationwide in 2026     
  • $8 million: Amazon’s commitment to paid college tuition through AFE this year     
  • $70 million+: Total AFE scholarship investment since 2019     
  • Up to 11%: Projected growth rate for engineering occupations through 2034     

About Amazon     

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.