Google Summer of Code

Overview

The Google Summer of Code (GSoC) program gives new contributors to open source the opportunity to gain real world experience by working on a 12+ week coding project with one of about 200 open source organizations under the guidance of dedicated mentors.

Since 2005, GSoC has brought more than 18,000 students and new contributors into open source software development.

Program Goals

• To motivate developers to begin participating in open source software development.
• To help open source projects bring in new developers into their communities.
• To give new contributors exposure to real world open source software development scenarios (testing, version control, software licensing, etc.).
• Create more open source code for everyone.

To learn more visit our Google Summer of Code program site.

Eligibility and application

Candidates must be:

• 18 years or older on date they register for program
• Not be a resident of an United States embargoed country
• Eligible to work in the country in which they reside for duration of program
• Be new or beginner contributors to open source software development

Application Process

Students must:

• Register as a student in the program on the program site g.co/gsoc between April 4 - April 19
• Submit proof of enrollment in an accredited university program
• Research which organization(s) they wish to apply to (can apply to up to 3)
• Submit a written proposal through the program site to the organization(s) they are applying to be a GSoC contributor with for GSoC 2022 between April 4 - April 19

Review the Program Rules and FAQ.

Timeline

The general timing and steps of the 2022 program include:

• Google selects ~200 open source organizations to mentor students. (March 7)
• Proactive participants reach out to 1 or 2 of the selected orgs that interest them and discuss project ideas and learn more about the open source organization. (March 7 - April 3)
• Participants register on program site and submit proposals to the open source orgs (April 4 - April 19)
• Orgs announce their selected GSoC contributors. (May 20)
• Selected GSoC contributors spend 3 weeks “bonding” with the open source community to learn the codebase, best practices, and work on milestones and project schedules with their mentor. Some GSoC contributors and their mentors may decide to extend the program schedule from 12 weeks up to 22 weeks) based on the contributor’s availability (May 20 - June 12)
• GSoC contributors spend 12+ weeks coding on their project, meeting milestones and receiving evaluations from mentors at the halfway point and their final week of the program. With each passed evaluation GSoC contributors receive a stipend. (June 13 - September 12)
• All successful GSoC 2022 contributors doing the standard 12 week project are announced. (September 20)
• GSoC contributors with extended program timelines will wrap up their projects (by November 14)
• After the program ends, the code the GSoC contributors have written is available for all to use and is easy for GSoC contributors to point to when applying for jobs and internships.

To learn more visit our Google Summer of Code program site.

Helpful tips

Reach out to organizations early!

1. Review the GSoC Student Guide. It has all the best tips on having a successful GSoC! It’s short and to the point. We highly encourage all interested participants to read through this guide.
2. Once the open source organizations that will act as mentoring orgs have been announced (on March 7), it is time to do your research and find the 2 or 3 that interest you. You can also look now at the orgs that participated previously (in 2021) as many of those orgs will be accepted again.
3. Review the Projects Ideas list of the orgs and think about what matches your interests and skills.
4. Reach out to the org and talk to them about the project idea and why you are interested in working with them. Communication with the org before submitting your proposal is vital if you wish to be selected.
5. Write your Project Proposal and share with the org to get feedback on your proposal, the earlier the better.
6. April 4 - April 19 Register as a GSoC contributor on the GSoC program site g.co/gsoc and submit your proposal (you can submit up to 3).
7. Apply to an open source organization that is doing work that interests you, it will be a much more enjoyable experience if you are working on a project you are excited about.
8. Good luck!

Visit the Resources page for additional info!