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TL;DR — Outreachy provides $7,000 USD paid, remote internships (3 months) for people from underrepresented groups in tech. Two cohorts per year (May and December). You contribute to real open-source projects in coding, design, documentation, and more.
What is Outreachy?
Outreachy is a paid, remote internship program that supports people subject to systemic bias and underrepresentation in tech. Interns work on open-source and free software projects for 3 months, gaining real experience with established organizations. What makes Outreachy different:- Focused on diversity — specifically designed for underrepresented groups
- Not just coding — projects include UX design, documentation, illustration, graphic design, data science, and marketing
- $7,000 USD stipend — one of the highest among open-source programs
- $500 travel stipend — for attending conferences or events related to your project
- Two cohorts per year — May and December rounds
Who Can Apply?
Outreachy is open to applicants worldwide who face underrepresentation, systemic bias, or discrimination in their country’s technology industry. This includes (but is not limited to):- Women (cis and trans), trans men, non-binary, and genderqueer people
- People from historically marginalized racial/ethnic backgrounds
- People from disadvantaged castes or tribes
- People with disabilities
- People who face systemic barriers in accessing tech education or employment
- Must be 18 years or older by the internship start date
- Must be available for full-time work (30 hours/week minimum)
- Must not have participated in GSoC or Outreachy before
- Cannot have another internship or full-time job during the program
- Part-time jobs (up to 20 hours/week) may be allowed with approval
Outreachy’s eligibility is deliberately broad. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, apply anyway — the initial application includes an eligibility check.
Timeline (Two Cohorts Per Year)
May Cohort
| Phase | Approximate Timing |
|---|---|
| Initial applications open | Early February |
| Initial applications close | Mid-February |
| Contribution period opens | Mid-March |
| Contribution period & final application close | Mid-April |
| Interns announced | Late April |
| Internship period | May – August |
December Cohort
| Phase | Approximate Timing |
|---|---|
| Initial applications open | Early August |
| Initial applications close | Mid-August |
| Contribution period opens | Mid-September |
| Contribution period & final application close | Mid-October |
| Interns announced | Late October |
| Internship period | December – March |
Stipend & Benefits
| Benefit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Internship stipend | $7,000 USD |
| Travel stipend | $500 USD |
| Duration | 3 months (13 weeks) |
| Format | Fully remote |
The Application Process (5 Steps)
The process is more involved than most programs — plan for 2–3 months from initial application to acceptance.Step 1: Check Eligibility
Visit outreachy.org/apply/eligibility and answer the eligibility questions. This takes about 10 minutes.Step 2: Submit Initial Application
Fill out the initial application form with your personal information, background, and eligibility details. This is a short form — don’t overthink it.Step 3: Browse and Select Projects
Once your initial application is approved, browse the available projects at outreachy.org/apply/project-selection. Each project lists:- Project description and goals
- Required and preferred skills
- Communication channels
- Contribution tasks
Step 4: Make Contributions (The Key Phase)
This is the most important step. During the contribution period (roughly 4 weeks), you must:- Join the project’s communication channel (Slack, IRC, mailing list)
- Introduce yourself to the mentor and community
- Complete contribution tasks assigned by the mentor — these are usually real issues like bug fixes, documentation improvements, or small features
- Record your contributions on the Outreachy website
Step 5: Submit Final Application
Before the contribution period ends, submit your final application which includes:- Your contributions to the project
- A timeline for the internship
- Your experience and motivation
- Any relevant background information
What Makes a Strong Outreachy Application?
- Meaningful contributions that demonstrate capability — Quality matters far more than quantity. One well-tested bug fix with a thoughtful PR description beats five trivial typo corrections. Mentors evaluate whether your contributions show you can handle internship-level work, not just that you showed up.
- Active, thoughtful communication — Be present in the project’s channels daily during the contribution period. Ask specific questions (“I noticed the test for X fails when Y — is this expected behavior or a bug?”) rather than generic ones (“How do I get started?”). Respond to mentor feedback within 24 hours. Communication quality is often the deciding factor between candidates with similar technical contributions.
- A realistic, detailed timeline — Break the internship into 2-week sprints with specific deliverables. Include buffer time for unexpected complexity. Mentors want to see that you understand the project’s scope well enough to create a credible plan.
- Genuine interest that shows in your actions — Mentors can immediately tell the difference between someone who cares about the project and someone who is applying to every available program. Reference specific features or issues that excited you. Explain how this project connects to your longer-term goals.
- Persistence and grace under feedback — Your first contribution will likely need revisions. How you respond to feedback is a strong signal. Candidates who cheerfully iterate based on code review comments and thank reviewers for their time stand out. Candidates who argue with feedback or go silent after receiving it are quickly deprioritized.
- Focus on 1-2 projects maximum — Spreading yourself across 5 projects during the contribution period means shallow work on all of them. Deep engagement with one or two projects produces stronger contributions and gives mentors confidence in your commitment.
Types of Projects Available
Unlike many programs that are code-only, Outreachy offers diverse project types:| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Programming | Bug fixes, new features, API development |
| Documentation | User guides, API docs, tutorials |
| Design/UX | UI mockups, user research, accessibility audits |
| Data Science | Data analysis, visualization, ML pipelines |
| Marketing | Community outreach, blog posts, social media |
| Translation | Localizing documentation and interfaces |
After Acceptance
- Week 1–2: Onboarding, setting up your environment, defining goals with your mentor
- Weekly check-ins: Regular meetings with your mentor
- Mid-point evaluation: Mentor assesses your progress
- Blog posts: Outreachy encourages interns to write blog posts about their experience (this is great for your portfolio)
- Final evaluation: Submit your completed work
Resources
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | outreachy.org |
| Applicant Guide | outreachy.org/docs/applicant |
| Eligibility Check | outreachy.org/apply/eligibility |
| Payment Info | outreachy.org/docs/internship/#payments |
| Past Interns | outreachy.org/alums |
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm a man — can I apply?
I'm a man — can I apply?
Outreachy is open to people who face systemic bias in tech. In many countries, men from certain racial, ethnic, or caste backgrounds may be eligible. The initial application includes an eligibility check — apply and see.
Can I apply if I have a part-time job?
Can I apply if I have a part-time job?
Possibly. Part-time employment (up to 20 hours/week) may be allowed, but you need to disclose it and get approval.
I don't know how to code — can I still apply?
I don't know how to code — can I still apply?
Yes! Outreachy has design, documentation, marketing, and data science projects that may not require programming skills.
Can I apply to multiple Outreachy projects?
Can I apply to multiple Outreachy projects?
You can contribute to multiple projects during the contribution period, but you’ll only be selected for one internship.
Is Outreachy competitive?
Is Outreachy competitive?
Yes. Acceptance rates are typically around 10–15%. Strong contributions during the contribution period are the primary selection criteria.