GSSoC 2026
World's largest open source program. Free. Open to everyone.
- +50,000+ participants globally
- +Cash prizes up to 50,000 INR for top contributors
- +Swag, digital and physical badges
- +Official certificates from GirlScript Foundation
- +Free certificates from top tech partner companies
- +Letters of Recommendation for outstanding contributors
- +Reservation for female participants
- +6 roles including Mentor, Project Admin, and more
- +AI / Agents for India track
- +Real-time leaderboard
- +Mandatory structured mentorship for all contributors
- +Beginner-friendly with Good First Issues on all projects
Google Summer of Code (GSoC)
Google's open source contribution program. Paid stipend for selected contributors.
- +Approx. 1,000 contributors selected globally per year
- +Paid stipend: $1,500 to $3,300 USD depending on country
- +Globally recognised, associated with the Google brand
- +Contributors work on established open source organisations
- +Project mentor assigned to each contributor
- +Open to students aged 18 and above
- +Certificate for selected contributors
- +Strong global alumni network
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Choose Based on Your Goals
GSSoC 2026 is a great fit if:
- +You want to join the world's largest open source community with 50,000+ global participants
- +You are at any skill level, from beginner to advanced
- +You want structured mentorship throughout the program
- +You want to earn cash prizes, swag, badges, certificates, or a Letter of Recommendation
- +You want free certificates from top tech partner companies
- +You are a female contributor and want a program with reserved spots
- +You want to explore AI through the Agents for India track
- +You want to take on a role beyond contributor such as Mentor, Project Admin, or Ambassador
- +You want a real-time leaderboard showing your progress
GSoC is a great fit if:
- +You are a student (18+) looking for a paid stipend ($1,500 to $3,300 USD)
- +You want to contribute to long-established global open source organisations
- +You have intermediate to advanced open source experience
- +You want the association of working directly with Google's program
- +You are comfortable writing a detailed project proposal for a specific organisation
- +You want to build relationships with globally recognised open source maintainers
Common Questions
Can I participate in GSSoC and GSoC in the same year?
Yes. Both programs run for 3 months and have overlapping timelines. If accepted into both, you can plan your contributions to manage your time effectively. GSSoC's flexible structure accommodates contributors with varied schedules.
Does GSSoC count as a GSoC alternative on professional profiles?
GSSoC is the world's largest open source program with 50,000+ global participants and is recognised by technology companies and academic institutions worldwide. Its partner certificates from leading tech companies, Letters of Recommendation, and cash prizes make it a strong professional credential. Both programs are valued by recruiters for demonstrating real open source contribution ability.
What certificates do GSSoC participants receive?
GSSoC 2026 participants receive an official certificate from GirlScript Foundation and free certificates from top tech partner companies. Outstanding contributors receive Letters of Recommendation. All participants who complete the program receive these credentials at no cost.
What are the GSSoC cash prizes?
GSSoC 2026 awards cash prizes of up to 50,000 INR to top contributors on the leaderboard. Prizes are distributed across the top performers at the end of the program, in addition to swag, badges, partner certificates, and Letters of Recommendation.
Apply Now
Join GSSoC 2026. Free. Global. Open to everyone.
Cash prizes, certificates, swag, LOR, partner certs. 50,000+ participants worldwide.