Date: Feb 06, 2026
Photo CC BY 2.0 GotCredit
Outreachy is seeking interns for the May to August 2026 internship cohort!
📅 Important dates:
Outreachy has had several cohort changes:
We strongly recommend you read our tips for application essays before submitting your initial application.
Initial applications are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. Don't wait until the last day to submit your application!
New to Outreachy? Start here:
Important dates:
Outreachy provides paid, remote internships to talented individuals who are typically underrepresented in the world of free and open source software (FOSS). Interns work with open source communities on impactful projects in software engineering, UX design, data science, documentation, community building, and more! If you’re passionate about technology and open collaboration, and you're from a community underrepresented in tech, we encourage you to apply.
Outreachy internships are:
💵 Paid - $7,000 USD total internship stipend
🌍 Remote - interns work remotely
🕰 3 months - internships run May to August, or Dec to March
Photo CC BY 2.0 WOCinTech Chat
Outreachy is open to applicants around the world.
We invite anyone from any background who faces under-representation, systemic bias, or discrimination in the technology industry of their country to apply.
Outreachy openly welcomes applicants who are women (both cis and trans), trans men, non-binary people, and genderqueer people to apply.
We also openly welcome applications who are residents and nationals of the United States of America of any gender who are Black/African American, Hispanic/Latin@, Native American/American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander.
Past Outreachy interns are:
Statistics are based on responses to the 2019 longitudinal study of Outreachy alums, and they're based on self-identification. There is no list of groups that are eligible or ineligible for Outreachy. Outreachy interns have been from countless backgrounds and identities. Check our alums page to learn more about them.
Outreachy interns work on open source projects. Experienced mentors will guide you.
Photo CC BY 2.0 #WOCinTech Chat
What is open source? Open source software means anyone has the freedom to collaborate with others to improve code.
Open source software is code published online under a specific license. An open source license means anyone can download, modify, and share their changes to the code.
There are many ways to participate in open source. You don't have to be a programmer!
Outreachy has many types of open source internship projects:
Internship projects for the May 2026 cohort will be finalized on March 17, 2026.
The internship project list will not be finalized before the initial application deadline. Please submit an initial application ASAP. Submit an initial application even if you don't see a project that interests you.
The Outreachy Applicant Guide has answers to many common questions, such as:
Please also watch our past live-streamed chats. Our chats will answer many of your questions about eligibility, how to apply, and how to make your application stand out.
You do not have to be a student to apply to Outreachy! Outreachy is open to people who are not students.
You do not need a university degree to apply to Outreachy. Many Outreachy interns learned their skills through online resources.
Please read our full eligibility guidelines.
Outreachy has some special eligibility rules for students. If you are (or will be) a student, please read the sections below.
Outreachy runs twice a year, May to August and Dec to March.
Students in the northern hemisphere should apply to the May 2026 internship cohort.
Students in the southern hemisphere should apply to the December internship cohort.
We consider India to be in the northern hemisphere, regardless of where the university is located. Otherwise, if your university is near the equator, you are welcome to apply to either cohort.
If you are completing your last term for your degree, you are only eligible for the internship cohort designated to students of the hemisphere where your school is located.
In order to apply our policies fairly, we do not grant exceptions to the student policies listed above.
When determining student eligibility, Outreachy considers the hemisphere of the school's location. We do not consider the individual student's course load. We do not consider special arrangements students have made with their university. Students who plan on taking a school term off to pursue an internship are not eligible for Outreachy. We cannot accept letters from universities about pausing classes or joining classes at a later date.
The initial application system will open at Feb. 6, 2026 at 4pm UTC. Initial applications are due Feb. 13, 2026 at 4pm UTC.
The Outreachy intern project list will not be finalized until March 17, 2026. That is after the initial application deadline.
Please fill out an initial application, even if you don't see a project that interests you. More projects will be added after the initial application deadline.
| Feb. 6, 2026 at 4pm UTC | Initial applications open |
| Feb. 13, 2026 at 4pm UTC | Initial application deadline |
| March 14, 2026 | Project list finalized |
| March 17, 2026 at 4pm UTC | Initial application results available |
| March 17, 2026 to April 15, 2026 | Contribute to projects |
| April 15, 2026 at 4pm UTC | Final application deadline |
| April 30, 2026 at 4pm UTC | Accepted interns announced |
| May 18, 2026 to Aug. 17, 2026 | Internships period |
Do you want tips for making your initial application stand out? Do you have questions about whether you're eligible for Outreachy? Please watch videos from our previous live-streamed chats.
Here is a recording of a past Q∧A on initial applications:
Once your initial application is accepted, the next step is to pick a project and complete a task for that project. Applicants work on project tasks during Outreachy's contribution period.
Here is a recording of a past Q∧A on the contribution period:
Our application process includes reflection questions that help us understand your background and barriers you may face in accessing opportunities in tech. Take your time, be honest, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you need support.
Follow us on social media to get important announcements and updates:
Applicants can also ask questions via our applicant help contact form.
We strongly recommend you read our tips for application essays before submitting your initial application.
Initial applications are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. Don't wait until the last day to submit your application!
We’re grateful to the open source communities, mentors, and donors who are stepping up to keep this program going. And to you, our applicants, thank you for showing up with courage, curiosity, and commitment.
Despite the uncertainties, we are moving forward because we believe in your potential.
Let’s make this round count!
