Google Summer of Code is a global program that offers post-secondary student developers ages 18 and older stipends to write code for various open source software projects. Over the past eight years more than 6,000 students have “graduated” from Google’s Summer of Code program, working with almost 400 different open source projects. Students who are accepted into the program will put the skills they have learned in their university to good use by working on an actual software project over the summer, and receive a nice paycheck at the end. Students are paired with mentors to help address technical questions and concerns throughout the course of the project. With the knowledge and hands-on experience students gain during the summer they strengthen their future employment opportunities in fields related to their academic pursuits. Best of all, more source code is created and released for the use and benefit of all.

Google will provide a total stipend of 5500 USD per accepted student developer, of which 5000 USD goes to the student and 500 USD goes to the mentoring organization. Accepted students in good standing with their mentoring organization will receive a 500 USD stipend shortly after coding begins on June 17, 2013. Students who receive passing mid-term evaluations will receive a 2250 USD stipend shortly after the mid-term evaluation deadline, August 2, 2013. Students who receive passing final evaluations and who have submitted their final program evaluations will receive a 2250 USD stipend shortly after the final evaluation deadline, September 27, 2013.

Interested students can submit proposals on the Google Summer of Code website starting now through Friday, May 3 at 12:00pm PDT. Get started by reviewing the ideas pages of the 177 open source projects included in this year’s program, and decide which projects you’re interested in. Because Google Summer of Code has a limited number of spots for students, writing a great project proposal is essential to being selected to the program—be sure to check out the Student Manual for help and advice regarding this matter.

For ongoing information throughout the application period and beyond, see the Google Open Source blog, join our Summer of Code mailing lists.

Published by Michael Boguslavskiy

Michael Boguslavskiy is a full-stack developer & online presence consultant based out of New York City. He's been offering freelance marketing & development services for over a decade. He currently manages Rapid Purple - and online webmaster resources center; and Media Explode - a full service marketing agency.

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