Open Source Internships Program in 2024
Before we start, I will like to say, All these programs listed are not mandatory for you to contribute to open source.
But you can contribute to open source even if you don't get selected for these programs, you can always contribute to open source programs anytime you want.
And also contributing to open source doesn't mean free, many companies have their open source projects, and yeah they make money from it.
See how the Founder of Ghost made $63,000/mo building an Open Source Publishing Platform.
So there is more to Open Source than just sending PRs and submitting issues, you can also start your own open source projects.
Let’s jump in.
1. Reinforcement Learning Open Source Fest
The Open Source Reinforcement Learning programs have the largest payout in the list of open source internships.
You will receive a payment of $10,000 stipend if you get in, well this program is yet to be known by many, due to the fact that they just started the program in 2020.
The program is focused on introducing students to open source reinforcement learning programs and software development and yet working alongside researchers, data scientists, and engineers on the Real World Reinforcement Learning team at Microsoft Research NYC.
The program is a four-month research programming project during academic breaks in universities from May-August, fully remote.
Who is Eligible?
Students who are in accredited universities, or colleges doing their Masters, PhD, or Undergraduate programs.
Things you will be doing when you get in
- Submitting quality works, i.e writing codes that compile, doing unit tests and documentation, passing code reviews
- Regular standup with mentor /collaborator
- Communicating and working with colleagues
Program details
- Region: Worldwide
- Stipend: $10,000
- Deadline to apply: April 3, 2023
- Selected students get notified: April 24, 2023
- Program Starts: May 8, 2023
- Program dates: May - August 2023
Apply on their official page: Microsoft Reinforcement Learning Open Source Fest
2. MLH Open Source Fellowship
Major League Hacking is a well-known platform among devs and hackers, so apart from their regular fellowships.
They also have Open Source Focused Fellowship also, the fellowship is a 12-week Internship for aspiring software engineers.
What you will be doing on the MLH Open Source Internships is contributing to any Open Source projects that most companies depend on.
That way you can get first-hand software engineering experience from seniors and experts.
Program details
- Region: Worldwide
- Stipend: The amount of the stipend is determined by your track and the country you are residing in during the program.
- Upcoming Batches
- Summer 2023 Batch A (May 30 – Aug 18, 2023)
- Summer 2023 Batch B (Jun 19 – Sep 8, 2023)
Apply on their official page: MLH Open Source Track
3. Google Season of Docs
This program is for the documentation and technical writers geeks, No open source projects can do away with documentation.
So in this program, you collaborate with other technical writers and open source organizations to write their documentation for them.
Well, they just wrapped up the 2022 Program and the 2023 Application form is out already.
Note you must be aged 18 and above to participate in Google Season of Docs, also you can read the How to Crack the Google Season of Docs Application Process
Program details
- Region: Worldwide
- Stipend: Payment varies based on the Open Source organization you are working with, but yeah it starts from $3000 and above.
- Deadline to apply: March 31, 2023 (Advised to be on the lookout from now)
- Program dates: GSOD has been announced since January 18, 2023
Apply on their official page: Google Season of Docs
4. Season of KDE
Okay Season of KDE is open to everyone to apply, student or not, everybody can apply, it is similar to Google Season of Code.
You can participate in both code and non-code projects that benefit the KDE ecosystem.
The 2023 application is out already and yeah it will last for 2 - 3 months, deadline for application for both students and mentors is January 15, 2023.
The application form has been open since December.
Program details
- Region: Worldwide
- Stipend: MERCHANDISE AND SWAG SENT OUT BY COURIER.
- Deadline to apply: January 15, 2023
- Program dates: December 15, 2022 - May 20, 2023.
Apply on their official page: Season of KDE
5. Google Summer of Code(GSoC)
Well, GSoC is known to be for students, but recently google announced that other people apart from students can also participate in GSoC.
Bear in mind that you are not an employee of Google neither as an intern at Google. You’re working with Open Source organizations that you applied to or got selected in.
Stipend is paid to you by those organizations, it might vary based on your performance and the work you've done.
Program details
- Region: Worldwide
- Stipend: $1000 above
- Timeline: Application opens on February 22, 2023, for contributors
- Program Announced: January 23, 2023
Apply on their official page: Google Summer of Code
6. Hacktobefest
You all won't want to miss Hacktoberfest, it's full of fun activities, collaboration, and working with different Open Source Organisations in the month of October.
The program is seasonal, also I will like to clear out something, Hacktoberfest isn't just hosted by Digital Ocean alone.
A lot of organizations do host their own Hacktoberfest event and reward contributors either through gift cards, coupons, keyboards, T-shirts, bottles, bags, and stickers.
You can check this list for companies that also hosted hacktoberfest in 2022, it will be updated with companies who will be taking part in 2023 hacktoberfest, so do well and bookmark the page down.
Program details
- Region: Worldwide
- Stipend: Maybe, Swags and Stickers are sure.
- Timeline: Application opens in October 2023
- Program dates: October 01, 2023 - October 31, 2023.
Apply on their official page: Hacktoberfest
7. Outreachy
When it comes to diversification in Open Source, Outreachy ranks number one, it's totally a remote internship that lasts for 3 months.
Only a few students are always selected and the majority are women, physically impaired individuals around the world.
Outreachy Internship focuses on documentation, programming, project marketing, and more tech paths, it's a paid internship, so you will get some funds for balling when you are done.
Program details
- Region: Worldwide
- Stipend: $7000
- Timeline: Application opens January 16, 2023, to February 6, 2023
- Program dates: May 2023 to late August 2023
Apply on their official page: Outreachy
8. Summer of Bitcoin
Summer of Bitcoin is a summer internship program aimed at introducing university students to bitcoin and open source development all over the world.
You will learn how bitcoin works, contribute to bitcoin projects, Get a summer job offer, a full-time open source development grant, or a position with one of the most reputable bitcoin companies, and earn bitcoin as a stipend.
Program details
- Region: Worldwide
- Stipend: $3000
- Timeline: Application starts from January 15, 2023 - April 1, 2023
- Program dates: May 1, 2023 - September 4, 2023
Apply on their official page: Summer of Bitcoin
9. Tublian Open Source Internship
This is an exhilarating four-week journey where accepted developers will dive into curated tasks, projects, and resources.
With weekly check-in calls for unique opportunities to connect with industry experts and Open Source maintainers!
Program details
- Region: Worldwide
- Timeline: Application starts from Dec 18, 2023 and lasts for 4 weeks
- Program dates: Dec 18, 2023
Apply on their official page: Summer of Bitcoin
That's all for now.
Peace out 🤞🏽.