Knocking the Open Source Opportunities: Part 1

Open Source software has revolutionized the tech industry by promoting collaboration, transparency, and community-driven development. In this series, we’ll explore some of the best open-source opportunities available over the years. Additionally, we will discuss how Indian colleges are promoting open-source opportunities.

Google Summer of Code (GSoC)

Google Summer of Code (GSoc) is an annual program that connects university students with open-source organizations to work on a three-month programming project during their summer break.

Program Details:

Application Period: Typically in February

Project Types: Large (350 hours), Medium (175 hours), Small (90 hours)

Stipend: Varies by region. For India: $3000 (Large), $1500 (Medium), $750 (Small)

Eligibility:

• 18 years or older by the registration date.
• Not a resident of a United States embargoed country.
• Eligible to work in their country of residence for the duration of the program.
• New or beginner contributors to open-source software development

Application Process:

Register: Register as a GSoC Contributor on g.co/gsoc between March - April .

Research: Identify and research the organizations you wish to apply to (up to 3). Organizations are announced usually in February.

Proposal Submission: Submit a written proposal through the program site between March - April.

Important Links of 2024:

• GSoC Homepage
• Country wise Stipend Details
• Participating Organizations
• Announced Projects

MLH Fellowship

The MLH Fellowship is a fully remote, 12-week internship alternative where participants earn a stipend and learn to collaborate on real open-source projects. The program offers three tracks: Software Engineering, Open Source, and Production Engineering.

Program Details:

Duration: 12 weeks

Tracks: Software Engineering, Open Source, Production Engineering

Commitment:

• Full-time: 30-40 hours per week
• Part-time: 10-20 hours per week

Stipend: Need-based stipends up to $5,000 USD

Eligibility:

• Over 18 years of age
• Commit at least 20 hours per week
• Proficient in English (written and spoken)
• Willing to work during normal business hours in ET, PT, GMT, or IST
• Reside in a non-embargoed country by the United States
• Proficient in at least one programming language
• Have access to a quality Internet connection for video calls
• Open to both students and non-students with any educational background

Upcoming Terms and Deadlines:

Summer B 2024: Starts June 17, 2024

• Deadline for Asia: April 15, 2024
• Deadline for other regions: May 31, 2024

Fall 2024: Starts September 16, 2024

• Deadline for APAC: July 15, 2024
• Deadline for other regions: August 31, 2024

Important Links:

• MLH apart from fellowship, it conducts various other activities to engage with the students and help them and guides them. Follow this link to view more opportunities - All About MLH
• Application Link (Note: Applications are live. Do apply if you meet the eligibility criteria.)

Outreachy

Outreachy provides internships to people subject to systemic bias and impacted by underrepresentation in the tech industry where they live. Internships are remote, paid, and last three months.

Program Details:

Stipend: $7,000 USD total

Duration: 3 months

Internship Fields: Programming, research, user experience, documentation, graphical design, data science, marketing, user advocacy, event planning, and more

Important Dates:

December 2024 Internships:

• Intern applications: Early August to mid-August
• Project list finalization: Late September
• Mentor sign-ups: Early August to late September
• Internships: Early December 2024 to early March 2025

Stay tuned for the upcoming applications

Intake Diversity Statistics:

• 92% women
• 4% transgender, genderqueer, or non-binary people
• 64% people of color
• 12% people from a historically disadvantaged caste or tribe

Outreachy explicitly invites women (cis and trans), trans men, genderqueer people, and residents and nationals of the United States of any gender who are Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American/American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander to apply.

Important Links:

• Outreachy Homepage

Apart from these open-source opportunities, some colleges also offer open-source initiatives for students both within and outside the institution. Notably, COSH NITK

COSH NITK - NITK Winter of Code

COSH NITK

The Centre for Open-Source Software and Hardware COSH NITK at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), established in October 2021, is dedicated to advancing open-source technologies through research, education, and development. COSH NITK conducts NITK Winter of Code every year to bring in Open source contribution culture within NITK.

NITK Winter of Code

NITK Winter of Code is designed to introduce students to open-source projects that have real-world impact, akin to larger programs like GSoC and Outreachy. The program teaches participants how to prepare project applications, collaborate in teams, communicate effectively, and manage large codebases, while also emphasizing good coding practices.

Program Structure:

• Projects: Various projects are proposed by NITK faculty, technical clubs, and open-source organizations, covering different domains and skill levels. Each project requires a minimum of 8 weeks to complete and must have two mentors.
• Participation: Open to students from NITK and beyond. Participants can apply to a maximum of two projects through a Google form or by completing a mentor-assigned task.
• Mentorship: Projects are mentored by NITK organizations and faculty. Mentors evaluate applicants and guide them through the development process.

Incentives:

• Hands-on experience with open-source projects.
• Exposure to collaborative work practices.
• Understanding of global programs like GSoC.
• Certificates from COSH NITK for both mentors and students upon successful completion.

Important Links

• Collaborate with COSH NITK: Apply here
• Follow updates on NITK Winter of Code: WoC NITK

That's it for this week. Stay tuned for more parts in this series as we explore additional open-source opportunities. Whether you're a student or a professional, there’s a treasure of opportunities waiting for you in the world of open source!