Open Source Programs You Can Join (and How They Help You Grow)
Source: Dev.to
Outreachy – Paid Remote Open Source Internship
What it is
Outreachy offers paid remote internships where you work with real open‑source projects alongside mentors from established communities.
Why join
- Work on code, documentation, design, research, and more
- Paid stipend for 3 months
- Remote and global
- Build experience and community connections
When to apply
Twice a year (typically May – August and December – March).
Link:
Google Summer of Code (GSoC) – Long‑Term Mentored Projects
What it is
Google Summer of Code is a global program where you spend about 3 months working on an open‑source project with guidance from experienced mentors. It is one of the most recognized open‑source programs worldwide.
Why join
- Work on meaningful projects with real impact
- Learn from experienced open‑source maintainers
- Earn a stipend while coding
- Open to anyone aged 18+ (not limited to students)
Link:
Hyperledger Mentorship Program – Blockchain Open Source Contributions
What it is
Hyperledger is an open‑source blockchain ecosystem under the Linux Foundation. The Hyperledger Mentorship Program (and related Linux Foundation mentorship initiatives) helps new contributors gain hands‑on experience with core blockchain tools.
Why join
- Work on distributed systems and blockchain frameworks
- Receive mentorship from professionals in the field
- Learn open‑source workflows used by major enterprises
- Ideal for developers interested in blockchain and infrastructure
Link:
MLH Fellowship – Structured Open Source Development
What it is
The MLH Fellowship is a remote, 12‑week program where you work in small groups on real open‑source projects under expert mentorship. It provides practical software‑engineering experience while contributing code that matters.
Why join
- Remote and collaborative environment
- Real open‑source work with mentors
- Workshops, speaker sessions, and other learning opportunities
- Stipend available in select batches
Link:
FOSSASIA – Open Tech Community & Coding Events
What it is
FOSSASIA is a global open‑tech organization that develops software and open‑hardware projects. It runs events, meetups, hackathons, and programs like Codeheat, where contributors can collaborate and compete while building open‑source projects.
Why join
- Diverse projects (software, hardware, AI, tools)
- Global community and tech events
- Suitable for beginner and intermediate contributors
- Great first open‑source experience
Link:
CROSS (Center for Research in Open Source Software) – Academic‑Industry Bridge
What it is
CROSS at UC Santa Cruz supports research and open‑source software development, providing students and recent graduates with funding and mentorship for innovative projects. It is especially useful for those interested in research‑oriented open‑source work and building academically impactful software.
Why join
- Combines academic research with real open‑source work
- Offers support and funding opportunities
- Helps you build deep technical skills and a portfolio
Link:
Wrapping Up
- Start contributing early – even small pull requests count.
- Join the project’s Discord/Slack to connect with mentors.
- Read contribution guides and look for issues labeled “good first issue.”
- Be patient – open source is a long‑term learning journey.
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