Stmicroelectronics Free Sample Programs A Guide For Students Hobbyists And Businesses

Oct. 13, 2025, 1:27 p.m.

STMicroelectronics offers free samples of their microcontrollers and development boards through various channels, with different approaches for different user categories. Based on information from official community forums and support channels, this article details the methods for requesting samples, eligibility criteria, and types of products available through ST's sample programs.

STMicroelectronics Sample Programs Overview

STMicroelectronics provides samples of their STM32 microcontrollers and related development boards to various user groups including students, hobbyists, and businesses. The company has established different pathways for distributing samples depending on the requester's category and the nature of the requested products.

For newer products, ST may offer free samples through distributors with the expectation of future volume purchases. The company maintains an online support portal where users can create support cases specifically for sample requests. ST community representatives indicate that these requests are reviewed internally, and requestors are contacted once their case has been processed.

Requesting Samples as a Student

Students interested in obtaining ST samples have specific recommended pathways to follow. ST community forum representatives suggest that students typically request samples through their university rather than directly to the company. Universities often have established relationships with ST and may receive educational discounts or participate in sample programs specifically designed for educational institutions.

The ST community mentions that NUCLEO and DISCO boards are designed to be budget-friendly, making them particularly suitable for student use. One ST employee, Erwan, responded to a student inquiry about sample policies by stating: "students are using generally their own university to do the request." This indicates that educational institutions serve as primary intermediaries for student sample requests.

For students who may not have access to university channels, alternative options exist. ST microcontrollers are noted to be relatively inexpensive (under $20 US), and community members mention finding STM32F103C8 development boards on eBay for approximately $2 US. ST-Link programmers are mentioned as costing around $2.50 US on eBay, providing affordable options for students with limited budgets.

Direct Sample Request Methods

For those who don't have access to university channels, ST provides alternative methods for requesting samples:

ST maintains an "sample and buy" section on their website that typically directs users to local distributors
For certain newer products, distributors may offer free samples with the expectation of future volume purchases
ST has an online support portal at https://ols.st.com/s/onlinesupport where users can create support cases for sample requests

In one case, when a user inquired about samples of new STM32C0 chips, ST community moderator Kaouthar escalated the request internally and created an online support case, indicating this is an official channel for sample requests. The user was informed: "An online support case has been created on your behalf, please stand by for just a moment and you will hear from us."

Types of Products Available

ST offers various types of products through their sample programs:

STM32 microcontroller chips, which are noted to be relatively inexpensive (under $20 US)
Development boards such as NUCLEO and DISCO boards that are budget-friendly
Cheaper demo boards like the "Bluepill" are mentioned as options
For newer products like the STM32C0 series, samples may be available upon request

It's important to note that while the microcontrollers themselves may be affordable, additional hardware is required to make them functional, including programming interfaces and development boards. As one forum participant noted: "An stm32 microcontroller - even a high-performance one - is relatively cheap (sub 20 US dollars). They are made in huge quantities. But one is useless without a board to run it on, an interface to a PC to program it."

Business vs. Hobbyist Sample Access

ST appears to differentiate between business and hobbyist sample requests:

Newer products like the STM32C0 chips may have different availability for businesses versus hobbyists
Business requests may be subject to vetting, with companies potentially evaluating the requester's business plans for using the products
Hobbyists may need to demonstrate legitimate project intentions to qualify for certain samples

In one forum post, a user specifically asked if STM32C0 samples were "only available for business or can hobbyist have access," indicating this distinction exists in ST's sample distribution policies. ST employees responded by escalating the request and creating an online support case, suggesting that both business and hobbyist requests are considered through the same formal process.

University Programs and Educational Access

ST appears to have specific programs for educational institutions:

Universities often establish relationships with ST for educational purposes
Educational institutions may receive special pricing or sample access
University-provided hardware is typically matched to course requirements
Students who damage university-provided hardware may be able to request replacements through their institution

One forum participant notes: "Most Universities are pretty specific about what hardware they would teach on - not just the processor itself, but the demo board they want you to run your code on, so that their instructions are correct for your hardware. And they have probably done a deal to get a good price on those boards, with the manufacturer keen to see many more engineers familiar with their product rather than that of a competitor."

Sample Request Process

Based on the provided information, the process for requesting ST samples involves:

For students: Contacting through university channels first
For others: Using the online support portal at https://ols.st.com/s/onlinesupport
Providing specific details about which products are needed
Potentially providing information about intended use (especially for business requests)
Waiting for ST to review and potentially approve the request

ST representatives indicate they will contact requestors directly once their case has been processed. When submitting a request, users should be prepared to specify exactly which products they need, as ST employees may ask for clarification: "could you please contact me and precise what you are looking for in term of samples?"

Legitimate Free Sample Practices

While not specific to ST, the information from The Freebie Guy provides context about legitimate free sample practices that apply to ST's program:

Legitimate free samples should never require payment for shipping or credit card information
Requestors should only need to provide basic contact information (name, email, phone, shipping address)
Some brief questionnaires about intended use may be required
Companies may follow up with marketing emails after providing samples
Sample fulfillment typically takes 6-8 weeks

The Freebie Guy explains: "Free samples are always free. If you see an offer charging for shipping, bring it to our attention so we can remove it. We don't post offers that require shipping fees or credit cards to sign up because that's a pain in the neck!"

Cost Considerations

While ST offers free samples, there are important cost considerations:

ST microcontrollers are noted to be relatively inexpensive (under $20 US)
Development boards and programming interfaces represent additional costs
Community members mention finding STM32F103C8 development boards on eBay for approximately $2 US
ST-Link programmers are mentioned as costing around $2.50 US on eBay

However, for those unable to afford even these minimal costs, ST's sample programs or university-provided hardware may be necessary alternatives. As one forum participant noted: "If that's beyond your budget, how can you afford all the computer hardware, interfaces and the like needed to do anything with the Bluepill?"

Avoiding Sample Request Scams

While ST's official sample programs are legitimate, users should be cautious of potential scams:

Only use official ST channels like their website and online support portal
Be wary of third-party sites claiming to offer ST samples
Legitimate ST samples will not require payment of any kind
ST representatives will identify themselves clearly in communications

The Freebie Guy recommends creating alternate email addresses and using burner phone numbers when signing up for samples from any company to protect privacy: "We also recommend creating an alternate email and a burner phone number and never providing your credit card number. A legit free sample will never require more than your name, email, phone, and shipping address."

Privacy Considerations When Requesting Samples

When requesting samples through ST's programs or any other company's sample offerings, users should be aware of potential privacy implications:

Companies may use sample requests to build marketing lists
Requestors might receive follow-up emails about related products
Creating separate email accounts for sample requests can help protect primary inboxes

The Freebie Guy explains: "When companies send out free stuff, they attempt to market more things to you. That means you might get a lot of emails. We suggest creating a new email account when applying for samples or using something like Unrollme to mass unsubscribe from emails and keep your primary email clear."

Conclusion

STMicroelectronics offers free samples of their microcontrollers and development boards through various channels, with different approaches for students, hobbyists, and businesses. Students are typically directed to request samples through their universities, while others can use the official online support portal. The company offers both free samples and affordable development options, with newer products potentially having different availability for different user categories. When requesting samples, users should only provide basic contact information through official channels and be prepared for potential follow-up marketing communications. Privacy-conscious individuals may consider using alternate email addresses and phone numbers when registering for samples to minimize unwanted marketing communications.