diff --git a/packages/aws-cdk/lib/api/bootstrap/bootstrap-template.yaml b/packages/aws-cdk/lib/api/bootstrap/bootstrap-template.yaml
index 15acb72c..b93b9067 100644
--- a/packages/aws-cdk/lib/api/bootstrap/bootstrap-template.yaml
+++ b/packages/aws-cdk/lib/api/bootstrap/bootstrap-template.yaml
@@ -276,6 +276,19 @@ Resources:
             Condition:
               StringLike:
                 "aws:sourceArn": { "Fn::Sub": "arn:${AWS::Partition}:lambda:${AWS::Region}:${AWS::AccountId}:function:*" }
+          # Necessary for EMR Serverless container images
+          # https://docs.aws.amazon.com/emr/latest/EMR-Serverless-UserGuide/application-custom-image.html#access-repo
+          - Sid: EmrServerlessImageRetrievalPolicy
+            Effect: Allow
+            Principal:
+              Service: emr-serverless.amazonaws.com
+            Action:
+              - ecr:BatchGetImage
+              - ecr:GetDownloadUrlForLayer
+              - ecr:DescribeImages
+            Condition:
+              StringLike:
+                "aws:sourceArn": { "Fn::Sub": "arn:${AWS::Partition}:emr-serverless:${AWS::Region}:${AWS::AccountId}:/applications/*" }
   FilePublishingRole:
     Type: AWS::IAM::Role
     Properties: