AWS Partner Funding Programs

AWS MDF Funding
Checklist

The complete checklist for qualifying, applying, and getting reimbursed for AWS Market Development Funds: what AWS requires at every stage.

Program: Market Development Funds (MDF)

Eligible: Select, Advanced & Premier Partners

Covers: Pre-Approval · Execution · Reimbursement

AWS MDF funds the marketing programs that generate AWS-related pipeline. Most partners lose MDF not because they ran a bad program, but because they did not document it the way AWS requires, or worse, spent budget before getting pre-approval.

This checklist walks through all four stages: partner eligibility, activity pre-approval, execution documentation, and the reimbursement claim. Read the pre-approval section before committing any spend.

What's Inside

Partner eligibility and MDF allocation verification
Activity pre-approval requirements: must be done before spending
Execution documentation: what to collect during the activity
Reimbursement claim submission requirements
MDF eligible vs. not-eligible activity breakdown

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01

Partner Eligibility

Verify Before Requesting

Active APN status at Select, Advanced, or Premier tier Required
Registered-tier partners do not receive MDF allocations.
MDF allocation confirmed with your AWS PDM
MDF is not automatically assigned to all partners. Your PDM can confirm whether you have an active allocation and the current balance.
APN Partner Central profile complete and current
An incomplete profile can delay MDF approval. Ensure company information, certifications, and customer references are up to date.
Prior MDF reimbursements settled: no open claims from prior cycles
Outstanding claims from prior cycles can block new requests in some cases. Clear these first.

02

Activity Pre-Approval

Must Be Done Before Spending

Proposed activity confirmed as MDF-eligible with your PDM Required
Eligible: events, webinars, digital campaigns, email programs, telemarketing, content syndication. Not eligible: software, hardware, internal training.
MDF request submitted in APN Partner Central before the activity begins Required
This is the most commonly missed step. MDF cannot be approved retroactively. Submit before committing any spend.
Activity description written clearly: what, who, when, expected outcomes
Vague descriptions are a common rejection reason. Be specific: event type, target audience segment, expected leads or registrations.
AWS branding and co-marketing requirements confirmed with PDM
MDF-funded activities typically require AWS logo inclusion and messaging guidelines compliance. Confirm before creative is produced.
Projected leads or outcomes included in the MDF request
AWS wants to see expected ROI. Include estimated leads, registrations, or pipeline impact in your submission.
MDF request approval confirmed in writing before proceeding
Do not proceed until you have a written approval. PDM verbal approvals do not protect you during reimbursement review.

03

Execution Documentation

Collect During the Activity

Attendee list or registration report saved Required for Events/Webinars
AWS requires proof of participation. Export the registration/attendee list immediately after the activity closes.
Photos or screenshots of the activity captured
Required for in-person events. For digital activities, screenshots of the live campaign, landing page, or email send are acceptable.
Itemized vendor invoices collected from all vendors
Lump-sum invoices are frequently rejected. Request itemized invoices before the activity closes.
Proof of payment secured for each invoice
Bank statement, credit card statement, or ACH confirmation. AWS requires proof the invoices were paid.
Lead outcomes documented: pipeline generated, leads captured
Document leads by name and company where possible. This data strengthens future MDF requests.
AWS co-branding confirmed in all activity assets
If assets did not include required AWS branding, flag this before submitting. Retroactively adding logos will not pass review.

04

Reimbursement Claim

Submitting for Payment

Reimbursement claim submitted within the required window Required
AWS has a submission deadline after the activity close date, typically 30 to 60 days. Late claims are not accepted.
All required documentation attached to the claim in Partner Central
Invoices, proof of payment, attendee list, activity photos, and lead outcomes. Missing any document delays or denies the claim.
Claimed amount does not exceed the approved MDF allocation
Claims above the approved amount are automatically reduced. Confirm your approved amount before submitting.
Claim submitted through APN Partner Central, not via email Required
Reimbursement claims sent to AWS contacts by email will not be processed.
PDM notified that claim has been submitted
A quick note to your PDM helps prevent the claim from sitting in a queue without attention.

MDF Activity Eligibility: Quick Reference

Generally Eligible

Partner-hosted events · AWS-aligned webinars · Digital advertising · Email marketing · Content syndication · Telemarketing · re:Invent / Summit sponsorship · Joint case study production

Typically Not Eligible

Software licenses · Hardware · Employee salaries or travel · Internal training · Generic brand marketing · Activities without pre-approval · Expenses without itemized invoices

Need help capturing MDF your team is missing?

Grnmrk Group manages MDF programs for AWS partners: from pre-approval through reimbursement. We identify funding you are eligible for and make sure it lands.

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