Funding

Fully Funded

Program dates

Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 26, 2027

Course / Training•USA · New York · Hybrid

Break Into Tech AI Developer Scholarship

Skillcrush (PowerToFly), funded by the Zero Irving Workforce Development Project Fund

Application Deadline

Closed · August 1, 2026

Official Page

The Break Into Tech AI Developer Scholarship is run by Skillcrush, the online coding school that is part of PowerToFly, and is paid for by the Zero Irving Workforce Development Project Fund. Fifteen people are trained as AI developers over six months, starting from no coding experience. The taught class meets every Friday afternoon at Civic Hall in Zero Irving, 124 E 14th St, Manhattan, and about 20 hours of coursework a week is done at home. Classes run from 18 September 2026 to 26 March 2027, followed by up to six months of job-search coaching from April to September 2027. The program is aimed at underrepresented New Yorkers who want a first job in technology.

Benefits & funding

  • Six months of AI developer training, from beginner level to job-ready, at no cost to the recipient.
  • A laptop, kept after graduation.
  • An AI Developer Certificate issued by Skillcrush.
  • Up to six months of job coaching, April to September 2027, built around one-hour virtual group sessions each week.
  • Mentors and a cohort community.
  • Onboarding between 1 and 12 September 2026 that supplies the laptop, a MetroCard and other necessities.
  • Curriculum in four phases: front-end foundations (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React), full-stack build with Python, AI specialisation (generative AI web apps, LangChain, domain-specific content, portfolio workshop), then the Get Hired program.
  • 15 scholarships are available.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must currently live in the New York City area. The class is taught in person and applications are not accepted from outside the area.
  • No prior tech experience is required; the curriculum starts from the fundamentals.
  • No degree requirement is published.
  • No nationality, age or gender requirement is published.
  • The program is aimed at underrepresented New Yorkers. Skillcrush states that every application is reviewed individually and invites people who are unsure whether they qualify to apply.
  • Recipients need roughly 20 hours a week for at-home study on top of the Friday afternoon class.

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Application process

  1. 1
    Submit the online application form by 1 August 2026; Skillcrush estimates it takes five minutes.
  2. 2
    Watch the recorded virtual info session, emailed to qualified applicants from 1 July 2026.
  3. 3
    Attend a 15-minute interview between 10 and 21 August 2026 if selected.
  4. 4
    Receive a decision by 29 August 2026. Every applicant is notified.
  5. 5
    Complete onboarding between 1 and 12 September 2026, when the laptop and MetroCard are handed over.
  6. 6
    Start class on 18 September 2026.

Program timeline

  1. Recorded info session sent to qualified applicants

    Jul 1, 2026

  2. Application deadline

    Aug 1, 2026

  3. 15-minute interviews with selected applicants

    Aug 10, 2026 to Aug 21, 2026

  4. Decisions sent to every applicant

    Aug 29, 2026

  5. Onboarding, laptop and MetroCard

    Sep 1, 2026 to Sep 12, 2026

  6. Classes begin

    Sep 18, 2026

  7. Classes end

    Mar 26, 2027

  8. Get Hired job-search program

    2027-04 to 2027-09