Paving the Way: Understanding the Outreachy Application Process

💠Content of this blog :

1. What is Outreachy?
2. Eligibility
3. Timeline
4. How to apply -
5. Initial application
6. Contribution period
7. Internship period

💠 What is Outreachy?

Outreachy, previously known as the Free and Open Source Software Outreach Program for Women, is a pioneering initiative that seeks to bridge the gap of underrepresentation in free and open-source software projects. The program orchestrates three-month paid internships, specifically designed for individuals who belong to communities traditionally marginalised within these projects. Originally organised by The GNOME Project and the GNOME Foundation, it is now overseen by the Software Freedom Conservancy.

By providing these paid remote internships, Outreachy extends a vital opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the world of free and open-source software, while receiving financial support for their contributions. The program's overarching goal is to cultivate a more inclusive and diverse tech landscape. Through hands-on experience and collaboration with established projects, Outreachy empowers individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to unlock their potential and make meaningful contributions to the open-source community. By fostering a culture of inclusivity, the program actively challenges and dismantles barriers that hinder diversity within the tech industry.

💠 Eligibility

Outreachy is open to applicants around the world.
They invite people to apply who face systemic bias or discrimination in the technology industry of their country.
The following are some criteria as stated on the official website -
1. General eligibility
You must be 18 years of age or older by May 29, 2023
You must be available for a full-time internship. Outreachy interns work 30 hours per week. The internship runs from May 29, 2023 to Aug. 25, 2023.
2. Past internships
You are welcome to apply to Outreachy multiple times. However, you can only be accepted as an Outreachy intern once.
You must not be a past Outreachy intern.
You must not be a past Outreach Program for Women intern.
You must not be a past Google Summer of Code intern. All Google Summer of Code interns are ineligible for Outreachy. This includes people who did not successfully finish their Google Summer of Code internship.
3. Current or future internships
The Outreachy internship runs from May 29, 2023 to Aug. 25, 2023.
You must not have another internship during the Outreachy internship period. This includes unpaid internships.
Applicants are required to list their current internships on their initial application. We understand you may be applying to many jobs. If you receive a job or internship offer, please notify Outreachy organizers immediately.
4. Rules for people with jobs
The Outreachy internship runs from May 29, 2023 to Aug. 25, 2023.
You must not have a full-time job during the Outreachy internship.
You must not have a full-time contracting position during the Outreachy internship period.
You must not be on a leave of absence from a full-time job during the Outreachy internship.
If you are willing to quit your full-time job, you are welcome to apply to Outreachy. If you cannot quit your full-time job, you are not eligible for Outreachy.
If you have a part-time job, you are welcome to apply to Outreachy. Part-time jobs must be approved by Outreachy organizers.
Applicants are required to list their current jobs on their initial application. We understand you may be applying to many jobs. If you receive a job or internship offer, please notify Outreachy organizers immediately.
5. Rules for people who are not students
People who are not students are welcome to apply to Outreachy.
Outreachy has two internship cohorts: May to August, and December to March. If you are not a student, you may apply to either internship cohort.
6. Rules for students
Both students and people who are not students are welcome to apply to Outreachy.
University students must have 42 consecutive days free from school and exams during the internship period.
Students must apply to the correct internship cohort (see rules below).
Outreachy internships run twice a year, May to August and December to March. We have some rules around which internship round you can apply to:
If you are a student of a university in the Northern Hemisphere, you will only be eligible for the May to August internship cohort. Students in India are considered to be in the northern hemisphere, regardless of where their university is located.
If you are a student of a university in the Southern Hemisphere, you will only be eligible for the December to March internship cohort.
Otherwise, if your university is near the equator, you may apply to any internship cohort. We will review university term schedules on a case-by-case basis.
If you are completing your last term for your degree, you may be eligible for either internship cohort, regardless of what hemisphere you are in. To be eligible for the May 2023 internships, the exams for your last school term must end before July 10, 2023. If the school academic calendar continues past that date, graduating students are not eligible.
When determining student eligibility, Outreachy looks at the school's academic calendar dates. 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.
7. Rules for students on visas
Your visa must allow you to work 30 hours per week. If you cannot work 30 hours per week, you are not eligible for Outreachy.
If you are on a student visa in the United States of America, you might have limited dates when you can work 30 hours a week. We will work with you to shift your internship dates by up to five weeks. However, we cannot accommodate shortening the 13 week internship.
If you are a student on an F-1 visa, you may need to apply for CPT with your university. Outreachy organizers can provide you documentation for your CPT application once you are selected as an intern.

💠Timeline-

For May- August internship period

1. Intern applications are accepted from mid-January to early February
2. Internship project list is finalized in early March 2023
3. Mentors can sign up starting in January
4. Contribution period starts from March till April
5. Internships run late May 2024 to late August 2024

For December-March internship period

1. Intern applications are accepted from early August to late August 2023
2. Internship project list will be finalized in late September 2023
3. Mentors can sign up starting in early August 2023
4. Internships run early December 2023 to early March 2024

💠How to apply -

🔶Initial Application -
The initial application round for the Outreachy program involves a series of questions designed to assess your eligibility. These questions are accompanied by four essay prompts. Starting from 2023, Outreachy has adopted a first-come, first-served approach, underscoring the importance of submitting your application as early as possible.
The essay questions, each with a character limit of 1000, are as follows:

1. Are you a member of an underrepresented group in the technology industry of your country? How do you experience underrepresentation?
2. If you were to apply for a job in the technology industry of your country, what systemic biases or discrimination do you anticipate encountering?
3. Does your learning environment have a limited number of individuals who share your identity or background? Please provide specific details.
4. What systemic biases or discrimination have you encountered while developing your skills? For more information, including additional details, please visit the official website - Applicant Guide|Outreachy Documentation If you are selected in the application round you will receive a mail inviting you for contribution period.

🔶Contribution Period -
Once the contribution period commences, Outreachy publishes a comprehensive list of participating companies and their projects for the year. As contributors, we have the freedom to explore these projects and choose the one we are interested in contributing. Each project description includes the specific tasks that contributors are expected to complete.
To make the most of the contribution period, consider the following tips:

• Embrace your confidence and acknowledge that you possess unique strengths and abilities, just like everyone else.

• Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the project you select to ensure a deeper understanding of its requirements and objectives.

• When submitting pull requests (PRs), ensure that they are well-defined and accompanied by clear comments, outlining the work you have accomplished. This practice helps provide transparency and clarity about your contributions.

• Pro Tip: Stay engaged in the community communication channels by actively participating in discussions, assisting others with their queries, and seeking help when you encounter obstacles. By doing so, you will not only find enjoyment in the experience but also have the opportunity to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and learn about their unique skills, which can be truly fascinating.

By following these suggestions, you can maximize your engagement during the contribution period and make meaningful contributions to the chosen project.

🔶Results

Once the contribution period concludes, we are required to submit an application for the internship we desire. This application includes essential details and documents such as a proposed timeline outlining the work we intend to accomplish during the internship, a summary of our contributions during the contribution period, and a showcase of relevant projects that demonstrate our possession of the required skills.

Approximately a month later, Outreachy announces the outcomes. In August 2023, a total of 63 interns were selected for the program.

I take immense pride in being chosen as one of the interns for the August 2023 cohort. It was an incredibly overwhelming moment for me. Throughout my Outreachy journey, I will be documenting my progress in biweekly blog posts. Please feel free to visit my profile to access and read about my experiences.

Outreachy Website - https://www.outreachy.org/

My Socials - 🔗LinkTree