Each program below has a dedicated page with full details — eligibility, application process, stipends, tips from past participants, and FAQs. Click on any card to dive deep.
High-Impact Programs
These are the most recognized and competitive programs. Getting selected is a significant resume boost.Google Summer of Code (GSoC)
10–22 week program. Work on real open-source projects with mentorship. Stipend: 6,600 (PPP-based). Open to anyone 18+ — not just students.
LFX Mentorship (Linux Foundation)
12-week cohorts running 3× per year. Focus on cloud-native projects (Kubernetes, Prometheus, etc.). Stipend: 6,600.
Outreachy
Paid remote internships for underrepresented groups in tech. 500 travel. Two cohorts per year (May & December).
MLH Fellowship
12-week cohort program with 3 tracks (Open Source, SWE, SRE). Work in small pods with daily standups. Stipend: 5,000 (need-based).
Summer of Bitcoin
Contribute to Bitcoin open-source projects. Developer and Designer tracks. Stipend: ~$6,600 paid in BTC. Strong alumni career outcomes.
Google Season of Docs
Technical writing for open-source projects. Program concluded in 2024 — page covers legacy info and alternative documentation opportunities.
More Opportunities
Smaller or more specialized programs that are excellent for building your open-source profile.Open Source Promotion Plan (OSPP)
Summer program by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Open to students worldwide. Bonuses up to ¥12,000 RMB (~$1,650).
Linux Kernel Mentorship
Contribute to the Linux kernel under expert guidance. One of the most technically challenging and rewarding programs.
LF Networking Mentorship
Open-source networking and telecom projects (SDN, NFV, 5G). Part of the LFX ecosystem.
FOSSASIA Codeheat
Beginner-friendly coding contest. Earn points by contributing to FOSSASIA projects. Prizes for top contributors.
24 Pull Requests
Community challenge: one open-source contribution per day from Dec 1–24. Free, fun, and great for building habits.
Quick Comparison
| Program | Stipend | Duration | Frequency | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSoC | 6,600 | 10–22 weeks | 1×/year | Medium–High |
| LFX Mentorship | 6,600 | 12 weeks | 3×/year | Medium–High |
| Outreachy | 500 travel | 13 weeks | 2×/year | Medium |
| MLH Fellowship | 5,000 | 12 weeks | 3×/year | Medium |
| Summer of Bitcoin | ~$6,600 (in BTC) | ~12 weeks | 1×/year | Medium–High |
| OSPP | ~1,650 | ~12 weeks | 1×/year | Low–Medium |
| Linux Kernel | 6,600 | 12–24 weeks | 3×/year | High |
| Codeheat | Prizes | Ongoing | Continuous | Low |
| 24 Pull Requests | None (community) | December | 1×/year | Low |
Research & Archives
- 265+ Accepted Proposals (GSoC, LFX, Summer of Bitcoin): github.com/devweekends/open-source-proposals
- Open source events roundup: github.com/anubhavpulkit/Open-Source-Events
General tip: Read accepted proposals from previous years, join project communities early, and draft proposals with mentor feedback. Starting 2–3 months before the application deadline dramatically increases your chances.