How a MAP-funded AWS migration works, from first call to cutover (2026).
The AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) is for teams moving existing workloads to AWS. It runs in phases: Assess, Mobilize, Migrate and Modernize. Your matched AWS partner files the MAP funding when the migration qualifies, and AWS approves it. For startups: $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- MAP is AWS's program for moving existing workloads to AWS. AWS describes it as tools, training, expertise from AWS Migration Competency Partners, and financial investments. The work runs in phases: Assess, Mobilize, then Migrate and Modernize.
- You are not on AWS yet and want to migrate. Your matched AWS partner files the MAP funding. The migration qualifies and AWS approves it. For startups: $50K to $150K. Depends on the workload; AWS approves.
- MAP funding helps with the cost of the move; it does not remove the work. Your team still sets priorities, grants access and checks each migrated app. The partner does the delivery. AWS decides on the funding.
IWhat MAP is
A method for running a migration, plus AWS investment that helps pay for it when the migration qualifies.
AWS describes the Migration Acceleration Program as a program "based on thousands of enterprise customer migrations" that provides "the tools, training, expertise from AWS Migration Competency Partners, and financial investments you need to succeed."
On its partner funding page, AWS says MAP funds give partners cash or AWS promotional credits to speed up customer migrations. AWS offers migration investments, as AWS credits or partner investments, to offset one-time migration costs.
An earlier version of this page promised a funding offset close to the full cost, a near-zero bill and a fixed minimum spend. AWS publishes none of those, so we removed them. The amount depends on the migration, and AWS approves it.
IIThe phases, in order
AWS names three phases: Assess, Mobilize, and Migrate and Modernize. In practice, a short qualification step comes first and optimization comes after.
Before Assess: qualification
A short inventory of what you run (servers, databases, rough dependencies, current monthly spend) and a first business case. The partner uses it to check whether the move is a real migration and whether MAP fits.
1. Assess
AWS says you will "understand what you need to succeed and build a realistic TCO model for your migration". Discovery tools map dependencies and size the target, and the output is a readiness view and a plan of migration waves.
2. Mobilize
You build what you migrate into: the landing zone (accounts, networking, identity, guardrails), runbooks, security baselines and a pilot migration of one or two low-risk workloads. Under-building the landing zone is the most common cause of a painful migration later.
3. Migrate and Modernize
Production workloads move in waves, each with its own test, cutover and validation. Each workload is rehosted, replatformed (for example a self-run database to Amazon RDS) or refactored, as decided in Assess.
After cutover: optimize
Right-size, buy Savings Plans against the now-known baseline, and remove what you over-provisioned. Teams that skip this leave savings behind.
IIIWho does what: you, the partner, AWS
You own decisions and access. The partner owns delivery and the MAP paperwork. AWS owns the funding decision and the technical bar.
- You: Name a sponsor and a technical contact, set priorities, grant access, provide the people who can confirm each migrated app works, and sign off each wave.
- Your AWS partner: Files the MAP funding request, runs discovery and the business case, builds the landing zone, and plans and executes the waves.
- AWS: Reviews the request and decides on the funding. It does not run your migration.
IVMAP and the other AWS funding routes
MAP is one of three partner routes. AWS Activate is separate, and you apply for it yourself.
If you are not moving anything but want to test something, POC funding fits. If you are already on AWS and launching new work, incremental workload (IW) funding fits. AWS Activate Founders ($1,000 to start, up to $5,000) is something you apply for yourself; a partner cannot file it.
| Funding | Who files it | Amount | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) | Your matched AWS partner | $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. | You are not on AWS yet and want to migrate. |
| Proof of concept (POC) funding | Your matched AWS partner | $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. | You want to test something, whether or not you are on AWS today. |
| Incremental workload (IW) funding | Your matched AWS partner | $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. | You are already on AWS and are launching new work: a new AI feature, a new customer or a new contract. |
| AWS Activate Founders | Founder applies | $1,000 to start, up to $5,000 | Self-funded startups with no investor or accelerator behind them. |
| AWS Activate Portfolio | Founder applies | up to $200,000 | Startups backed by a VC firm, accelerator or angel investor that is an AWS Activate Provider. |
| AWS Credits for AI Startups | Invite only (AWS account manager) | $200,000 or more, by invitation | AI startups ready to scale after Activate Portfolio, invited by AWS. |
VHow to start
You do not need a full inventory before the first call. Three facts are enough.
- What you run today: Where it is hosted (another cloud, a data center, a platform like Heroku), roughly how many servers and databases, and what you spend each month.
- Why move now: A contract ending, a cost problem, a customer requirement, or a product launch.
- Who decides: The sponsor who can say "yes, we intend to move".
With those, a partner can tell you in one call whether the move looks like a MAP fit and what Assess would involve.
How a match works (example)
- You tell us about the work
You fill in a short form: what you run today, what you want to move, test or build, your stage and your region.
- We pick one partner
We read your answers and pick one vetted AWS consulting partner that fits the work, the stack and the region. We reply within 24 hours; your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.
- The partner checks MAP funding
Your matched partner scopes the migration with you. Then it checks whether the move qualifies for MAP (Migration Acceleration Program) funding. MAP is for teams that are not on AWS yet.
- The partner files, AWS decides
If the work qualifies, the partner files the funding request with AWS. AWS reviews it and decides. The amount depends on the workload.
- You pay nothing
CloudRoute is free for startups. Partners pay CloudRoute a monthly membership plus 10% of AWS-approved funding.
AWS Activate credits are separate, and you apply for them yourself. Use Activate Founders if no investor backs you. Use Activate Portfolio with the Org ID or invite from your VC, accelerator, incubator or angel group if it is an Activate Provider. A consulting partner cannot apply for Activate on your behalf.
Common questions
Is a MAP-funded migration free?
Who files the MAP funding request?
What are the MAP phases?
Does a new build on AWS qualify for MAP?
Can I get AWS Activate credits as well?
Moving to AWS? Start with the right partner.
We pick one vetted AWS partner with migration experience in your stack and region. The partner checks whether your move qualifies for MAP funding: $50K to $150K for startups. Depends on the workload; AWS approves. We reply within 24 hours; your matched partner reaches out within 5 business days.