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Top Open-Source Programs for Students & Developers

Top Open-Source Programs for Students & Developers

user•April 8, 2025

Open-source software is the backbone of modern technology, powering everything from web servers to mobile applications. Contributing to open-source projects is a fantastic way to give back to the community, learn new skills, and build a portfolio that can help you land your dream job. Fortunately, many organizations, companies, and foundations offer structured programs to guide individuals into the world of open-source development. These initiatives often come with mentorship, financial incentives, and opportunities to tackle real-world challenges.


In this blog post, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of open-source programs, organized into five key categories:

  1. Major Open Source Programs: Globally recognized initiatives with broad participation.
  2. Seasonal Programs and Competitions: Time-specific events with unique themes or goals.
  3. University-specific Programs: Opportunities tailored for students from particular academic institutions or regions.
  4. Company-specific Programs: Programs run by tech giants to promote their ecosystems or scout talent.
  5. Open Source Foundations’ Programs: Efforts by foundations dedicated to advancing open-source communities.

Each category includes a table detailing the program’s name, stipend or rewards, timeline, eligibility, and focus or application process. Whether you’re a beginner, a student, or a seasoned developer, there’s something here for you.

📅 Major Open Source Programs

1. Google Summer of Code (GSoC)

2. MLH Fellowship

  • Stipend: Yes
  • Timeline: Spring, Summer, Fall batches
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Application Process: MLH Application
  • Tech Stack/Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: fellowship.mlh.io

3. Outreachy

  • Stipend: Yes
  • Timeline: December-March & May-August
  • Eligibility: Underrepresented groups in tech
  • Application Process: Outreachy Apply
  • Tech Stack/Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: outreachy.org

4. Season of Docs

5. LFX Mentorship

6. Summer of Bitcoin

7. Hyperledger Mentorship Program

8. Julia Seasons of Contributions (JSoC)

9. Open Mainframe Project Mentorship Program

10. Red Hat Open Source Contest

11. OSS World Challenge

12. Igalia Coding Experience Program

Seasonal Programs and Competitions

13. Hacktoberfest

  • Rewards: Swag
  • Timeline: October annually
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Open source contributions
  • Link: hacktoberfest.com

14. 24 Pull Requests

  • Rewards: No prizes
  • Timeline: December annually
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Open source contributions
  • Link: 24pullrequests.com

15. Google Code-in

  • Rewards: Prizes, trip
  • Timeline: November-January annually
  • Eligibility: Pre-university students (13-17)
  • Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: codein.withgoogle.com

16. FOSSASIA Codeheat

  • Rewards: Cash prizes
  • Timeline: October-February annually
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: FOSSASIA projects
  • Link: codeheat.org

17. GirlScript Summer of Code

  • Rewards: Prizes, internships
  • Timeline: Summer months
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: gssoc.girlscript.tech

18. Advent of Code

  • Rewards: Learning
  • Timeline: December annually
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Programming puzzles
  • Link: adventofcode.com

19. CodeForces

  • Rewards: Ratings, prizes
  • Timeline: Year-round
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Competitive programming
  • Link: codeforces.com

20. Google Kick Start

21. Facebook Hacker Cup

  • Rewards: Cash prizes
  • Timeline: Annual
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Competitive programming
  • Link: facebook.com/hackercup

22. ACM ICPC

  • Rewards: Medals, prizes
  • Timeline: Annual
  • Eligibility: University students
  • Focus: Competitive programming
  • Link: icpc.global

🎓 University-specific Programs

23. FOSSEE Summer Fellowship

  • Rewards: Stipend
  • Timeline: Summer months
  • Eligibility: Indian universities
  • Focus: FOSSEE projects
  • Link: fossee.in

24. JGEC Winter of Code

  • Rewards: Certificates, swag
  • Timeline: Winter months
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: jwoc.tech

25. NJACK Winter of Code

26. Kharagpur Winter of Code

  • Rewards: Certificates
  • Timeline: November-January annually
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: kwoc.kossiitkgp.org

27. DevScript Winter of Code

  • Rewards: Certificates, swag
  • Timeline: Winter months
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: devscript.tech/woc

28. Delta Winter of Code

  • Rewards: Certificates, swag
  • Timeline: Winter months
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: dwoc.io

29. IIIT-Kalyani Winter of Code

  • Rewards: Certificates, swag
  • Timeline: Winter months
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: winterofcode.com

30. SIH (Smart India Hackathon)

  • Rewards: Cash prizes
  • Timeline: Annual
  • Eligibility: Indian students
  • Focus: Various problem statements
  • Link: sih.gov.in

31. MIT Battle of Codes

  • Rewards: Prizes
  • Timeline: Annual
  • Eligibility: University students
  • Focus: Competitive programming
  • Link: battleofcodes.mit.edu

32. IIT Bombay Summer Internship

  • Rewards: Stipend
  • Timeline: Summer months
  • Eligibility: University students
  • Focus: Various IT projects
  • Link: iitb.ac.in/internship

33. FOSS Overflow, IIT Bhilai

  • Rewards: Stipend
  • Timeline: Winter months
  • Eligibility: Indian universities
  • Focus: OpenLake projects
  • Link: openlake.in/foss-overflow

💼 Company-specific Programs

34. Microsoft Reinforcement Learning Open Source Fest

  • Stipend: Yes
  • Timeline: Summer months
  • Eligibility: University students
  • Focus: Reinforcement Learning
  • Link: microsoft.github.io/rl-fest

35. IBM Quantum Challenge

36. Alibaba Summer of Code

37. GitHub Externship

  • Stipend: Yes
  • Timeline: Multiple batches
  • Eligibility: Indian university students
  • Focus: Various open source projects
  • Link: externship.github.in

38. Google AI Residency Program

39. Facebook AI Residency Program

40. Amazon Science Internship

41. Uber AI Residency

42. OpenAI Scholars Program

  • Stipend: Stipend
  • Timeline: 4 months
  • Eligibility: Underrepresented groups in AI
  • Focus: AI research
  • Link: openai.com/scholars

43. Mozilla Fellowship Program

🌐 Open Source Foundations’ Programs

44. Mozilla Winter of Security

45. Free Software Foundation Internship

46. Radare Summer of Code

  • Stipend: Yes
  • Timeline: Summer months
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Reverse engineering
  • Link: rada.re/rsoc

47. X.Org Endless Vacation of Code

  • Stipend: Yes
  • Timeline: Year-round
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: X.Org projects
  • Link: x.org/wiki/XorgEVoC

48. Apache Software Foundation Internship

49. GNOME Internships

50. Wikimedia Internship Program

51. Open Robotics Internship Program

  • Stipend: Yes
  • Timeline: Summer
  • Eligibility: University students
  • Focus: Robotics software
  • Link: openrobotics.org/interns

52. Python Software Foundation Fellowship Program

  • Rewards: Grants
  • Timeline: Rolling
  • Eligibility: Open to all
  • Focus: Python ecosystem
  • Link: python.org/psf/grants

53. The Processing Foundation Fellowships

How to Choose the Right Program

When selecting an open source program to participate in, consider:

  1. Your skill level – Some programs are beginner-friendly, while others require more experience
  2. Time commitment – Programs range from a few weeks to several months
  3. Compensation needs – Some offer stipends, others provide networking and learning opportunities
  4. Technical interests – Choose programs that align with your technical interests or career goals
  5. Eligibility criteria – Check if you meet the requirements for the program

Resources for Open Source Contributors

Tips for Successful Contributions

  1. Start small: Begin with documentation or small bug fixes
  2. Communicate clearly: Ask questions and explain your approach
  3. Follow guidelines: Respect each project’s contribution guidelines and code of conduct
  4. Be patient: Maintainers are often volunteers with limited time
  5. Document your work: Keep track of your contributions for your portfolio
  6. Build relationships: Connect with maintainers and other contributors
  7. Don’t give up: If one project doesn’t work out, try another one

The open-source landscape is rich with opportunities for contributors of all backgrounds. Whether you’re eager to gain hands-on experience, make a meaningful impact, or earn rewards, there’s a program tailored to your aspirations. From global initiatives like Google Summer of Code to seasonal challenges like Hacktoberfest, the options are diverse and accessible.

Take the time to explore these programs, review their application processes, and mark their deadlines. Visit their official websites for the latest details and start your journey as an open-source contributor today.

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