We’re thrilled to share that the Cloud Native Computing Foundation has once again been accepted as a Google Summer of Code (GSoC) mentoring organization for 2025! This program is a fantastic opportunity for new contributors—especially students—to gain real-world experience working on open source software during their school break.
What is GSoC?
Google Summer of Code is a global program that pairs contributors with open source organizations to work on a programming project over the summer. It provides a great way to learn, code, and make an impact in the open source community with guidance from experienced mentors.
Why Join CNCF for GSoC 2025?
- Diverse Projects: The CNCF umbrella includes many cloud native projects—from Kubernetes and Vitess to emerging incubating and sandbox projects.
- Experienced Mentors: Our mentors are active maintainers and contributors in the cloud native ecosystem.
- Hands-On Experience: You’ll gain real development experience, expand your network, and help shape the future of cloud native computing.
CNCF GSoC 2025 Project Ideas
We have curated a list of project ideas across various CNCF-hosted projects. You can browse the CNCF 2025 GSoC Ideas List to find a project that matches your interests and skill set. Each idea provides details on the project scope, requirements, and mentor contact information.
Important Dates & Timeline
While the full program timeline can be found on the official GSoC website, here are a few key milestones:
- March 24: Contributor application period begins
- May 8: Accepted contributor projects announced
- June 2: Coding starts!
Be sure to check the GSoC website regularly for the most up-to-date information on deadlines and program details.
How to Get Started
- Explore the Project Ideas: Review our ideas list and identify projects that spark your interest.
- Connect with Mentors: Reach out using upstream issues listed in each project description (don’t reach out directly to mentors via email). Introduce yourself, discuss the idea, and ask questions.
- Draft Your Proposal: Once applications open, submit a clear, concise proposal outlining your approach, timeline, and goals.
- Stay Informed: Follow the official GSoC timeline and guidelines. Watch for announcements on the GSoC website and the CNCF communication channels.
GSoC is a wonderful opportunity to learn, collaborate, and make meaningful contributions to the cloud native ecosystem.
We look forward to welcoming a new cohort of CNCF GSoC interns in 2025!
