Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.buildwithtrace.com/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Overview
Trace offers an Education Program for students and universities building hardware. Accepted applicants get access to Trace’s full capabilities — Agent mode, Plan mode, one-click manufacturing, and component sourcing — at no cost for educational use. The program is designed for:- Undergraduate and graduate students taking PCB design, embedded systems, or electronics courses
- Student engineering teams building for competitions, senior capstone, or research labs
- University instructors running credited PCB or FPGA courses who want students on modern tooling
- Research groups doing rapid board iteration for prototypes
How to Apply
Visit the application page
Fill out the form
Provide your name, university, school email, expected graduation year, and a short description of what you’re building or studying.
Confirmation
You’ll receive an email confirming your application was received. The team reviews applications and responds within a few business days.
Use your
.edu or university-issued email address. Applications from personal email addresses take longer to verify.What’s Included
| Feature | Included |
|---|---|
| Full desktop application | Yes |
| Ask mode (read-only AI Q&A) | Yes |
| Agent mode (AI-driven editing) | Yes |
| Plan mode (multi-step planning) | Yes |
| One-click manufacturing (PCBWay, Pikkolo) | Yes |
| Component sourcing and BOM management | Yes |
| Version history and cloud sync | Yes |
| All EDA importers (KiCad, Altium, gEDA, Allegro, PADS) | Yes |
| Manufacturing export (Gerber, BOM, PnP, STEP) | Yes |
Eligibility
- Currently enrolled at an accredited university or college
- Using Trace for coursework, research, or student projects (not commercial production)
- Valid school email address
Sponsored Events
Trace sponsors student engineering events and hardware hackathons. We’re the platform partner for IEEE student conferences and participate in university PCB courses. If you’re organizing a student hardware event or running a university course that involves PCB design, reach out at hello@buildwithtrace.com — we provide licenses, workshop materials, and technical support for educational programs.FAQ
How long does access last?
How long does access last?
Education access is valid through your expected graduation year. If you need to extend it (e.g., for graduate school), reach out and we’ll update your account.
Can I use boards designed in Trace for competitions?
Can I use boards designed in Trace for competitions?
Yes. Student competitions, capstone projects, hackathons, and research publications are all valid educational use. The only restriction is commercial production for sale.
Can our whole team apply?
Can our whole team apply?
Each team member should apply individually with their own school email. There’s no limit on how many students from the same university can be approved.
I graduated. Can I still use Trace?
I graduated. Can I still use Trace?
Education access ends at graduation. After that, you can continue using Trace on the Free plan (unlimited Ask mode) or upgrade to a paid plan for full capabilities. Check Billing & Plans for pricing.