Check Out These Awesome Open Source Programs You Can Apply to!

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Check Out These Awesome Open Source Programs You Can Apply to!

Why participate in such programs?

Open Source is like a vast ocean, full of endless possibilities. Once you learn how to navigate its waters, there are no limits to the amazing accomplishments you can achieve. By diving into the Open Source community, you have the opportunity to make a name for yourself and leave a lasting impact.

There are so many great chances waiting for us in this world, and the key is having enough resources and the right mentorship to seize these opportunities.

In this blog, I've curated the list of some finest Open Source programs you can participate in and give back to the community(Some of them even pay you a modest stipend ๐Ÿš€

You can click on the programs name to get redirected to the program website :)

Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is an annual global program that offers students the opportunity to work on open-source projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. It is organized by Google and aims to promote open-source software development and encourage student participation in the open-source community.

Program Details:
Duration: The duration of the Google Summer of Code (GSoC) program typically spans over a period of 3 months.
Stipend: The stipend amount varies based on the region in which the contributor resides. In India, the stipend is $1500 / $3000 (Medium / Large project).

The MLH Fellowship is a remote internship-like program that focuses on providing students with hands-on experience in software development and open-source projects. It is organized by Major League Hacking (MLH), a global community that supports student hackers and tech enthusiasts.

Program Details:
Duration: The MLH Fellowship is a 12-week internship alternative for aspiring software engineers.
Stipend: The amount of the stipend varies depending on the track, country of residence, and other factors. It can be upto $5000.

Outreachy is a global internship program that provides opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups in the field of technology to gain experience in open-source projects. The program aims to create a more diverse and inclusive tech community by offering internships with free and open-source software (FOSS) organizations.

Program Details:
Duration: The Outreachy program runs for 12 weeks, from May to August.
Stipend: Interns are paid a stipend of $5,000 USD.
Eligibility: Outreachy encourages applications from individuals who are women (both cis and trans), trans men, genderqueer individuals, and people from other marginalized gender identities.

The LFX Mentorship Program is a structured initiative that connects aspiring individuals with experienced mentors in the open-source software development community. It aims to facilitate learning, skill development, and career growth by providing mentorship and guidance to mentees interested in contributing to open-source projects.

Program Details:
Duration: The LFX Mentorship Program is a 12-week program that pairs aspiring open source software developers with experienced mentors.
Stipend: Stipend amounts are calculated based on participants location. In India the stipend is $3000.

The Linux Kernel Mentorship Program is a structured initiative that provides aspiring developers with mentorship and guidance to contribute to the Linux kernel, the core component of the Linux operating system. The program aims to foster learning, collaboration, and the development of skills necessary to become active contributors to the Linux kernel community.

Program Details:
Duration: The Linux Kernel Mentorship Program (LKMP) is a 12-week program.
Stipend: The Linux Kernel Mentorship Program might offer location-based Stipend and travel funding to attend industry conferences

Google Season of Docs is an annual program that brings together technical writers and open-source organizations to improve documentation in the open-source community. It provides an opportunity for technical writers to contribute their skills to open-source projects and collaborate with experienced mentors to enhance project documentation.

Program Details:
Duration: The Google Season of Docs program runs for six months
Stipend: The amount of the stipend varies depending on the location of the technical writer. For Asia, the stipend is $4,000.

Summer of Haskell is a community-driven program that aims to promote and advance the Haskell programming language and its ecosystem. It provides opportunities for Haskell enthusiasts, developers, and learners to engage in open-source projects, collaborate with mentors, and contribute to the growth of the Haskell community during the summer months.

Program Details:
Duration: The Summer of Haskell is a 12-week program.
Stipend: The Summer of Haskell stipend is $3000 USD.

The Hyperledger Mentorship Program is an initiative that provides mentorship and guidance to individuals interested in contributing to the Hyperledger open-source blockchain projects. It offers a structured pathway for learning, skill development, and active participation in the Hyperledger community.

Program Details:
Duration: The Hyperledger Mentorship Program is a 12-week program.
Stipend: Mentees may be eligible to receive a stipend, the stipend is adjusted as per mentees location. In India, the stipend is $3000.

Hacktoberfest is an annual month-long celebration of open-source software, organized by DigitalOcean and its partners. It encourages participation in open-source projects by inviting developers of all skill levels to contribute to repositories on platforms like GitHub. Hacktoberfest aims to foster collaboration, promote open-source contributions, and provide an opportunity for developers to give back to the community.

Program Details:
Duration: The Hacktoberfest program runs for a Week.
Stipend: N/A, But I encourage you to participate and give back to the community โค.

The Kubernetes Release Team Shadows program is an initiative that offers aspiring contributors the opportunity to shadow and learn from experienced members of the Kubernetes Release Team. It aims to develop the next generation of Kubernetes release managers and coordinators by providing hands-on experience and mentorship within the Kubernetes project.

Program Details:
Duration: The duration of the Kubernetes Release Team Shadows program is typically 13 weeks.
Stipend: N/A. It is an apprenticeship, but you can make great connections :).

The Reinforcement Learning Open Source Fest is a community-driven event focused on advancing the field of reinforcement learning (RL) through open-source contributions. It provides a platform for RL enthusiasts, researchers, and developers to collaborate, learn, and contribute to open-source RL projects during a specified period.

Program Details:
Duration: Reinforcement Learning Open Source Fest is a four-month research programming program.
Stipend: The stipend for the Reinforcement Learning Open Source Fest is $10,000 USD.

Why should you participate in such programs?

Participating in open-source programs offers numerous benefits and opportunities for individuals. Here are some compelling reasons to participate:

  1. Skill Development: Open-source programs provide a platform to enhance your technical skills. By contributing to real-world projects, you gain hands-on experience, improve your coding abilities, and learn from experienced developers.

  2. Collaboration and Networking: Open-source programs foster collaboration and allow you to work with diverse teams of developers from around the world. This provides an opportunity to learn from others, exchange ideas, and build professional relationships.

  3. Learning from Experts: Open-source projects often have experienced contributors and maintainers who can provide valuable guidance and mentorship. Interacting with these experts allows you to learn best practices, gain insights into the project's codebase and architecture, and understand industry standards.

  4. Portfolio and Recognition: Contributing to open-source projects helps you build a strong portfolio. Your contributions serve as tangible evidence of your skills, commitment, and ability to work on real-world projects. This can make a positive impression on potential employers or clients, showcasing your ability to collaborate and deliver quality code.

  5. Giving Back and Making an Impact: Open-source is built on the principles of collaboration and sharing knowledge. By participating in open-source programs, you contribute to the greater good of the developer community and society at large. Your contributions may help improve software accessibility, solve challenging problems, or advance technology in various domains.

  6. Continuous Learning and Keeping Up with Trends: Open-source projects often involve cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches. By participating, you stay updated with the latest trends, emerging tools, and industry developments.

  7. Personal Growth and Confidence Building: Open-source participation challenges you to step out of your comfort zone, tackle complex problems, and work in a collaborative environment. This experience enhances your problem-solving abilities, boosts your confidence, and nurtures your ability to work effectively in teams.

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