Open source opportunities refer to the potential for individuals and organizations to participate in and contribute to the development and maintenance of open source software and projects. Open source software is free to use, modify, and distribute, making it a valuable resource for businesses and individuals looking to build or improve their technology. There are a variety of ways to get involved in open source, including contributing code, documentation, or design, participating in community discussions, or even starting your own open source project. These opportunities can lead to valuable skills development, networking opportunities, and even career advancement.
1.) GSoC (Google Summer of Code)
It is a program designed to bring new contributors to open source communities.
In this program, you have to first apply by submitting a proposal of a project that you want to build. After your application is shortlisted, you have to spend your summer by working on that project with guidance from a mentor, for which you are offered a stipend.
Stipend: 1500 to 5000 USD (worldwide) Timeline: February-November
Timeline for GSOC 2023: The timeline is 10-12 weeks but can be extended to 22 weeks.
2.) MLH Fellowship (Major League Hacking)
It is a 12 week online program where participants collaborate on open source projects. You need to first apply for fellowship, and then go through their interview process.
Stipend: Upto 5000 USD
3. GSoD (Google Season of Docs)
It is a program that provides helps open source projects to improve their documentation & gives technical writers a professional experience.
It includes non-coding contributions. You have to first apply with a proposal so as to get shortlisted.
4. Outreachy
It is sort of a 3 month internship which focuses on programming, documentation etc.
Stipend: Upto 7000 USD
Timeline: May to August and December to March
5.) 24PullRequest
24 Pull Requests is a yearly initiative to encourage contributors around the world to send 24 pull requests. 24 Pull Requests' goal is to encourage contribution to open source projects during December.
TImeLine : 1 December - 24 December
6.) FOSSASIA codeheat
Codeheat is separated into two month periods. After each period we announce winners of the period. Participants contributing at least five pull requests can get a digital certificate and with more than ten pull requests developers can win awesome prizes.
Timeline: October - June
7.) Linux Foundation Mentorship Program (LFX)
LFX Mentorship makes it easy to sponsor and help train the next generation of open source developers by serving key needs of the community. Invest in building a stronger and more diverse community of qualified developers and engineers.
8.) Season of KDE
KDE Student Programs has been running Season of KDE as a program similar to, but not quite the same as Google Summer of Code, offering an opportunity to everyone (not just students) to participate in both code and non-code projects that benefits the KDE ecosystem.
9.) Reinforcement Learning Open-Source Fest
RL Open-Source Fest is a global online program focused on introducing students to open-source reinforcement learning programs and software development while working alongside researchers, data scientists, and engineers on the Real World Reinforcement Learning team at Microsoft Research NYC.
Program dates: May – August 2023
10.) DlF Networking
The LF Networking (LFN) intern/mentorship program is aimed at creating a structured hands-on learning opportunity for new developers who may otherwise lack the opportunity to gain exposure to open source software development and entry to the LFN projects' technical communities. It also provides a more defined path for LFN projects to connect with the next generation of student developers to inject more talent into their developer base.
11.) Igalia Coding Experience
Mentorship by one of Igalia’s outstanding open source contributors in the field.It is remote-friendly. People can participate wherever they live.
Hours: 450h
Usual timetables:
3 months full-time
6 months part-time
Compensation for the 2023 program: 7,000€
Selection Process
The Igalia Coding Experience is generally open for applications at the start of the second quarter of each year. Accepted participants are usually chosen by mid-May, have a mutually-agreed-upon starting date from June onwards, and finish their term before the end of the same year.