Open Source Programs

Getting involved in open source is one of the best ways to build your resume, earn a stipend, and get mentorship from world-class engineers.

Instead of a confusing table, here is a curated list of the best programs, categorized by type.

---

The “Big League” Programs

These are the most prestigious, often paid, and competitive programs.

1. Google Summer of Code (GSoC)

• ** When:** Applications open around March/April (Summer program).
• ** Who:** Students and beginners (18+).
• ** Benefits:** Generous stipend (varies by country), mentorship, global recognition.
• ** Details:** The “Holy Grail” of open source. You work on a specific project for an open-source organization (like Python, TensorFlow, or KDE) for about 3 months.

2. Outreachy

• ** When:** Twice a year (May-Aug & Dec-Mar).
• ** Who:** People from underrepresented groups in tech (women, minorities, etc.).
• ** Benefits:** $7,000 stipend + travel budget.
• ** Details:** A very supportive, remote internship program. It focuses heavily on mentorship and inclusivity.

3. LFX Mentorship (Linux Foundation)

• ** When:** Year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall terms).
• ** Who:** Anyone (students & professionals).
• ** Benefits:** Stipend (varies), huge networking with Linux/Cloud professionals.
• ** Details:** Work on serious infrastructure projects like Linux Kernel, Kubernetes, and Hyperledger. Great for those interested in Cloud & DevOps.

4. MLH Fellowship

• ** When:** Fall, Spring, Summer (12-week batches).
• ** Who:** Aspiring software engineers.
• ** Benefits:** Educational stipend, real-world experience.
• ** Details:** Unlike GSoC (where you work alone), here you are placed in a “pod” of students and work as a team on open-source projects for companies like Meta and Adobe.

---

Popular in India & Beginner Friendly

Great stepping stones before tackling GSoC.

5. GirlScript Summer of Code (GSSoC)

• ** When:** Annually (Usually summer).
• ** Who:** Everyone (Very beginner-friendly).
• ** Benefits:** Swag, certificates, strong community feel.
• ** Details:** A 3-month long open-source program. It is not paid like GSoC, but it is excellent for learning the basics of Git/GitHub in a low-pressure environment.

6. GitHub Externships

• ** When:** Winter/Summer cohorts.
• ** Who:** Students currently enrolled in Indian colleges.
• ** Benefits:** Stipend, potential job offers.
• ** Details:** GitHub partners with companies to provide mentorship and real project work.

7. Social Summer of Code (SSoC)

• ** When:** Annual.
• ** Who:** Beginners.
• ** Benefits:** Mentorship, badges, certificates.
• ** Details:** Similar to GSSoC, focused on social impact projects and getting beginners started.

---

Short-Term & Seasonal Events

Fun events to get quick wins and swag!

8. Hacktoberfest (October Only)

• ** When:** Every October.
• ** Who:** EVERYONE.
• ** Benefits:** Digital badges (formerly free T-shirts), knowing you contributed.
• ** Details:** Hosted by DigitalOcean. The goal is simple: Submit 4 valid Pull Requests to ANY public GitHub repo during October. It’s the biggest open-source event of the year.

9. Season of KDE

• ** When:** January - April.
• ** Who:** Students.
• ** Benefits:** Mentorship, T-shirts/Merch, Certificate.
• ** Details:** A structured outreach program for the KDE community (famous for the Linux Desktop environment).

10. FOSSASIA CodeHeat

• ** When:** Annual (usually starts later in the year).
• ** Who:** Students.
• ** Benefits:** Prizes, opportunity to present at the FOSSASIA summit in Singapore.
• ** Details:** Focuses on FOSSASIA projects like Pocket Science Lab and Susper.

---

Not a Coder? No Problem!

11. Google Season of Docs (GSoD)

• ** When:** Annual.
• ** Who:** Technical Writers (Professional or Student).
• ** Benefits:** Stipend.
• ** Details:** Open source projects usually have bad documentation. Google pays you to fix that.

---

Niche & Other Programs

• Summer of Bitcoin: Focuses on Bitcoin & Blockchain open-source development.
• Hyperledger Mentorship: Specifically for enterprise blockchain technologies.
• 24 Pull Requests: A “coding calendar” event in December (submit a PR every day till Christmas).

Pro Tip: Don’t just wait for applications to open! Pick a project you like, join their Discord/Slack, and start fixing small typos today. That’s how you get selected when the program starts.