Fields of study: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Open Source Development, Information Technology
Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is a global, online mentoring program focused on introducing new contributors to open source software development. Since 2005, it has connected thousands of contributors with mentors from over 1,000 open source organizations. During the program, participating contributors work on a 12 to 22-week programming project under the guidance of experienced mentors from their chosen organization. Contributors learn invaluable real-world software development techniques while writing code for live projects, and a financial stipend is provided as an incentive based on their location.
Benefits
Financial stipend adjusted to the cost of living in the contributor's country of residence
Hands-on experience in real-world open source software development
Personalized mentorship and guidance from experienced open source developers
Opportunity to build a professional network and enhance career prospects in the tech industry
Eligibility
Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older upon registration for the program
Must be a student or a beginner to open source software development
Must be eligible to work in the country in which they reside for the duration of the program
Must not be an Organization Administrator or Mentor in the current program
Must not be a resident of a United States embargoed country or otherwise prohibited by applicable export controls
Must not be an employee or contractor of Google or participating mentor organizations
Requirements
Submission of a detailed project proposal to a participating open source mentor organization
Creation of a Payment Processor account by July 15, 2026, to receive stipends
Successful completion of the coding project milestones
Submission of Midterm and Final Evaluations of the project and the mentor
Required Documents
Online contributor registration form
Detailed Project Proposal based on ideas suggested by mentor organizations
Proof of residency in the country of residence (required for Payment Processor and stipend compliance)
Programs of Study
Open Source Software Development (Standard 12-Week Coding Project)
Open Source Software Development (Extended 22-Week Coding Project)
Application Process
Review the list of accepted mentor organizations when announced and discuss project ideas with them early
Register as a contributor on the Google Summer of Code portal
Write and submit a comprehensive project proposal to the mentor organizations that interest you before the March 31, 2026 deadline
Wait for organizations to review, rank, and select proposals
If accepted, pair with a mentor, complete the Community Bonding period, and begin the coding project
How to Apply
It is highly recommended to reach out to the organizations you are interested in as soon as possible, as early communication significantly improves your chances of being selected
Thoroughly review the contributor guidance and project ideas provided by the specific open source organizations you are applying to
Ensure you submit your proposal strictly before the March 31, 2026 deadline, as late submissions are not accepted
Selection Process
Potential contributors discuss ideas and submit proposals directly to the mentor organizations
Mentor organizations review all submitted proposals and select the contributors they wish to mentor
Google allocates a specific number of contributor slots to each mentor organization based on their capacity
Accepted projects and contributors are officially announced on April 30, 2026