Summer of Code 2026

EduLinkUp Summer of Code 2026 (ELUSOC): EduLinkUp Summer of Code 2026 [ELUSOC] is a comprehensive 2-month long open-source initiative designed to foster collaborative development, enhance technical skills, and create meaningful contributions to real-world projects. Organised by EduLinkUp, this event brings together developers of all experience levels to grow together in a supportive, innovation-driven environment. How to Participate: Step 1: Register - Register on Unstop - Mandatory step Step 2: Register on EduLinkUp (See company website at the top) Step 3: Fill out the registration form with your name, email, and technical skillsetConnect your GitHub account by logging in using your GitHub credentials. Grant the necessary permissions to ensure your contributions are tracked seamlesslyUpon submission, you'll officially join ELUSOC and gain access to all available projects Step 4: Explore and Star ProjectsNavigate to the Projects Section. Browse the diverse range of open-source projects availableSelect repositories that match your skills and interestsImportant: Star the repositories you wish to contribute to ~ this is mandatory for participation Step 5: Connect and Contribute Reach out to project administrators and team leads Request assignment to an issue that aligns with your expertise Begin contributing by following the project's established guidelines Submit meaningful pull requests to showcase your skills Why Join ELUSOC?: Accelerate Your Development Journey Ignite Your Skills: Immerse yourself in open-source development and watch your coding abilities flourish. ELUSOC is not about competition ~ it's about personal growth and mastery. Master Version Control: From fundamental Git commands to sophisticated GitHub workflows, you'll become proficient in the tools that power collaborative development worldwide. Real-World Experience: Gain practical, industry-relevant skills by working on authentic projects that make tangible contributions to the software ecosystem. Build Lasting Connections: Experience the power of team-based coding and discover how collaborative development drives innovation. Connect with a global network of passionate developers, peers, and industry professionals. Why Apply?: Learning-First Environment: ELUSOC prioritises continuous learning at every stage. You'll receive support and guidance, ensuring you feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. Grow at Your Pace: Whether you're just starting your coding journey or you're an experienced developer, this program challenges you to reach new heights. Beginners and seasoned professionals alike will discover fresh opportunities. The Thrill of Contribution: There's no greater satisfaction than merging your first open-source pull request. Resolve real challenges, submit your code, and witness the impact of your work. Expand Your Professional Network: ELUSOC connects you with future colleagues, collaborators, and friends. Build meaningful relationships through code, one commit at a time. Make a Real Impact: If you're passionate about coding, ELUSOC is calling. Contribute to projects that matter and leave your mark on the open-source community. Program Overview: Welcome to ELUSOC ~ an ambitious, immersive open-source experience designed for modern developers. This isn't just about writing code; it's a transformative journey into collaborative software development where passion meets purpose. Get ready for an intensive learning experience that: Equips you with in-demand technical skills Connects you with a vibrant, supportive community Opens doors to limitless opportunities in open source With projects spanning web development, mobile applications, machine learning, and more, there's something for every skill level and interest. From beginners to experts ~ all are welcome. Simply review project prerequisites before making your selection. Build. Collaborate. Grow. Join ELUSOC today! Contribution Guidelines & Rules: Core Principles Assignment Requirement Contribute only to assigned projects. Contributions without proper assignment are not counted toward your participation. Issue Workflow Find or Create Issues: Identify tasks you want to tackle or propose new ones Request Assignment: Formally request to be assigned to the issue Await Approval: Work only begins after a project administrator officially assigns you Work on Assigned Issues Only: Unassigned pull requests (i.e. ones not linked to issues) will not be considered Create Dedicated Branches: Maintain one branch per issue to minimise merge conflicts and keep your workflow clean Mandatory ELUSOC Label Policy Every issue intended for ELUSOC must include the elusoc label. Difficulty labels (for example: newbie, adventurer, veteran) must be applied on ELUSOC issues for proper scoring. A pull request is eligible for leaderboard points only if all of the following are true: The PR has the elusoc label. The PR is linked to a corresponding issue that also has the elusoc label. The linked issue includes a valid difficulty label. PRs or issues missing these labels are treated as invalid for ELUSOC leaderboard reflection. The assigning of an issue to you is supposed to be done on FCFS. You can be assigned an issue in only these cases: You have created the issue Maintainer/Collaborator has created the issue, but is unassigned to anybody, and nobody has asked assignment before you Any issue which has already been assigned, but the assignee has shown no progress past the given deadline In any other case, you will NOT be assigned Also, Never raise a PR unless an issue has been properly assigned to you. Code Quality Standards: Star the Repository: Mandatory first step ~ show your support for the projects you work on Meaningful Contributions Only: Avoid trivial or low-value pull requests. Every contribution should add genuine value Well-Structured Code: Follow project conventions, include clear comments, and maintain consistency with the existing codebase Originality is Essential: Plagiarism or copied code results in immediate disqualification from the event. All work must be uniquely your own, tailored to project requirements Contribution Points Structure: Difficulty Level — Points Newbie — 10 Adventurer — 25 Veteran — 50 Note: Points may be adjusted based on detailed review of merged pull requests. Leaderboard Validity Rule: Points are reflected only for labeled ELUSOC work. Feedback and Review Process: Respond Promptly to Feedback: Address reviewer and project admin comments quickly to ensure smooth PR acceptance Unresolved Issues Lead to Closure: Persistent unaddressed feedback may result in PR closure Engage Professionally: Maintain respectful, constructive communication throughout the review process Contribution Standards: What Makes an Outstanding Contribution Repository Stars: Begin by starring the project ~ a simple yet essential step Quality First: Write clean, well-documented, and valuable code Include Documentation: Substantive documentation improvements earn extra recognition and bonus points Respect Best Practices: Align with industry standards and project guidelines Project Administrator Information: Why Become a Project Administrator? Professional Recognition: Leading an open-source project significantly enhances your resume and demonstrates leadership and technical expertise Expand Your Network: Collaborate with developers, organisations, and communities, creating opportunities for career advancement Diverse Perspectives: Work with contributors from varied backgrounds and gain rich insights into different development approaches Community Recognition: Receive exclusive recognition and awards for your leadership and commitment Selection Criteria: Project administrators are selected based on: GitHub & LinkedIn Profile Review: Demonstrated contributions, technical expertise, and relevant domain knowledge Technical Proficiency: Deep familiarity with project codebase and related technologies Leadership Capabilities: Proven ability to guide teams, resolve conflicts, and inspire contributors Reliability: Consistent commitment and sound decision-making abilities Administrator Responsibilities: Code and Quality Management: Maintain a clean, well-organised, thoroughly documented codebase Ensure alignment with industry best practices and standards Review and Integration: Evaluate pull requests with constructive, actionable feedback Merge high-quality contributions efficiently Project Organization: Identify and prioritise bugs, feature requests, and development tasks Maintain clear issue tracking and repository health Strategic Direction: Define clear project goals, scope, and objectives Develop and share public roadmaps Prioritize features based on community feedback Ensure alignment with industry trends and community needs Community Building: Provide comprehensive documentation (README, contribution guidelines, code of conduct) Label beginner-friendly issues ("good first issue," "help wanted") Foster an inclusive, welcoming environment for newcomers Repository Eligibility and Compliance: Ensure every participating repository has both required GitHub topics: edulinkup and elusoc Ensure every participating repository is registered in the ELUSOC database via the official website by the project admin Repositories missing required topics or platform registration are considered invalid for ELUSOC Integrity Assurance: Verify submission originality and penalize plagiarism Adjust points appropriately for quality variations Prevent and address spammy submissions GitHub Project Requirements: Essential Elements README.md Document Your project's README is the first impression you make on potential contributors and users. It must clearly articulate: Project purpose and value proposition How to use the project How others can contribute Getting started instructions A comprehensive, well-written README is non-negotiable. Detailed Project Description Your GitHub description should provide: Clear, concise overview of what your project does Primary features and benefits Problem statement your project solves Target audience Quick insight into its value and impact ELUSOC Repository Eligibility Requirements: For a repository to be valid in ELUSOC: It must include both GitHub topics: edulinkup and elusoc It must be registered on the official ELUSOC platform by the project admin Its ELUSOC issues and PRs must follow mandatory label rules Repositories that do not meet these conditions are treated as invalid Community Code of Conduct: ELUSOC is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and inspiring community. Core Values Respect and Inclusivity Treat every participant with dignity and courtesy Celebrate diversity of thought and perspective Zero Tolerance for Harassment This community is a safe space free from verbal, physical, or sexual harassment Cyberbullying and harassment of any kind result in immediate consequences Quality Over Quantity Avoid spam, excessive off-topic discussions, or unnecessary reactions Keep conversations focused and meaningful Maintain Focus Keep discussions centered on ELUSOC projects and goals Promotional content for unrelated events or groups is prohibited Use Appropriate Channels Direct inquiries and troubleshooting to dedicated support channels Keep main discussion spaces focused on substantive topics Professional Boundaries Respect others' personal space and time Excessive direct messaging of peers or leaders is discouraged Thoughtful Communication Hate speech, discrimination, and targeted language based on race, gender, religion, or other characteristics will not be tolerated Champion Collaboration Approach discussions with curiosity and openness Cultivate an environment of mutual support and learning Embrace the spirit of mentorship and shared growth Consequences: Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in termination of participation without opportunity to rejoin. Key Takeaways: Meaningful Growth: Develop skills in a supportive, learning-focused environment Real Impact: Contribute to projects that matter to the global developer community Professional Network: Build lasting connections with developers and industry leaders Recognition: Showcase your work and earn recognition for exceptional contributions Community: Join a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem of passionate developers