Claude Campus Ambassador Program for Students and Researchers

Anthropic wants Claude to become part of university life, not just another AI tool students use on their own.

The company has opened applications for its Claude Campus Ambassador program for the 2026–27 academic year. The program is divided into three tracks covering undergraduate students, graduate students, and PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

For undergraduate students, Anthropic is looking for people who can build and lead Claude Builder Clubs on their campuses. Ambassadors can organize workshops, hackathons, demo nights and other activities designed to help students learn how to build with AI.

Graduate students have a different role. The Claude Campus Conversations track focuses more on discussions around AI, education and society, giving students opportunities to organize events and explore the broader implications of AI.

For PhD students and postdocs, the Claude Science track focuses on researchers using AI in scientific work. Participants can organize workshops and engage with Anthropic's science teams. citeturn0search2

There is money involved too

The program isn't simply a volunteer ambassador scheme.

Selected ambassadors across the three tracks receive a $3,600 cash stipend, while Anthropic also provides resources such as workshops, speakers and, where relevant, API credits. The program runs from September 2026 through June 2027.

Applications opened September 1 and close September 12, according to Anthropic.

The company says students from anywhere in the world can apply, although the graduate and PhD programs may initially select from a smaller pool of universities. Applicants must be at least 18 and have work authorization in their country of study.

Why this is interesting

The bigger story is not the stipend.

AI companies are increasingly competing for a place inside education. Universities give companies access to some of the most technically curious users, future developers and researchers — exactly the people who could influence which AI tools become part of the next generation of professional workflows.

Anthropic's approach is also broader than simply promoting Claude.

Undergraduates are encouraged to build. Graduate students are encouraged to discuss and examine AI's impact. Researchers are encouraged to use AI in science.

That gives the program a much wider reach than a conventional student marketing campaign.

For students, it could also be an interesting opportunity to build something more valuable than an AI certificate: a community, projects, events and direct experience working with an AI company.

The program is another sign that the AI race is moving beyond model benchmarks and product features.

The companies that win may also be the ones that become part of how the next generation learns, builds and researches.

Interested? Check the source of this update at the end of this article. Good luck!