The Rust Project has a proud history of supporting open-source mentorship initiatives, including multiple years with Google Summer of Code and OSPP. Now, Rust is expanding its commitment by joining Outreachy, starting with the May 2026 cohort. Outreachy offers paid internships to individuals from underrepresented groups in technology, providing a unique pathway into open-source contribution. Below, we answer key questions about this partnership and the projects that selected interns will tackle.
What Is Outreachy and How Does It Differ from Google Summer of Code?
Outreachy is similar to Google Summer of Code (GSoC) but with distinct features. First, Outreachy applicants must first be accepted into the overall program before applying to specific communities. Second, Outreachy requires a dedicated contribution period before application submissions, whereas GSoC makes contributions optional. Finally, communities select interns based on both their applications and the quality of their contributions. Outreachy runs two internship cycles per year: May to August and December to March. Another key difference lies in funding: GSoC stipends are covered by Google, while Outreachy communities themselves fund their interns' stipends and overhead costs.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for Outreachy Internships?
Outreachy targets individuals from any background who face underrepresentation, systemic bias, or discrimination in the technical industry where they live. This includes, but is not limited to, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities. The program aims to level the playing field by offering a supportive environment where these groups can contribute to open source while receiving mentorship and financial support. Eligibility also depends on citizenship or residency in countries where Outreachy operates, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. For full details, check the Outreachy website.
Why Did the Rust Project Decide to Participate in Outreachy?
The Rust Project has a long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion, recognizing that a broad range of perspectives leads to better software. By joining Outreachy, Rust builds on its experience with GSoC and OSPP, extending mentorship opportunities to individuals who might otherwise face barriers entering open source. The project selected four interns for the May 2026 cohort due to limited funding and mentoring capacity, ensuring each intern receives focused guidance. This move not only enriches the Rust community but also helps fill gaps in testing, tooling, and language development.
How Are Outreachy Interns Funded?
Unlike Google Summer of Code, where Google covers all stipends and overhead, Outreachy requires participating communities to fund their own interns. For the May 2026 cohort, the Rust Project secured limited funding to support four interns. The stipends cover living expenses during the internship period, and communities also manage administrative overhead. This model encourages communities to take ownership of their mentorship programs and ensures that funding aligns with community priorities. The Rust Project's decision to participate reflects its dedication to investing in new contributors despite financial constraints.
Which Projects Are Being Mentored in the May 2026 Cohort?
The Rust Project selected three projects (with a fourth expected) for the May 2026 cohort. Each intern works closely with experienced mentors. The projects are:
- Calling overloaded C++ functions from Rust — Intern: Ajay Singh; Mentors: teor, Taylor Cramer, Ethan Smith. This experimental feature aims to enable Rust code to call C++ overloaded functions, with initial testing in representative use cases.
- Code coverage of the Rust compiler at scale — Intern: Akintewe Oluwasola; Mentor: Jack Huey. This project develops workflows to analyze compiler code coverage across the entire test suite and ecosystem crates, aiming to detect inadequately tested areas.
- Fuzzing the a-mir-formality type system implementation — Intern: Tunde-Ajayi Olamiposi; Mentors: Niko Matsakis, Rémy Rakic, tiif. This work implements fuzz testing for a-mir-formality, a model for Rust's type and trait system, to improve robustness.
What Are the Key Requirements for Outreachy Applicants?
Outreachy requires a structured application process distinct from other programs. After being accepted into the overall Outreachy program, applicants must complete a contribution period — typically several weeks — during which they make meaningful contributions to the community they wish to join. These contributions are mandatory, not optional, and serve as a crucial part of the evaluation. Following this, applicants submit a formal application similar to GSoC’s. Communities then select interns based on application quality and the depth of contributions. This model ensures that interns have demonstrated genuine interest and ability before starting the paid internship.