Links

We have compiled a list of communities, initiatives, and resources that could be helpful in your open source journey. While we can’t officially endorse any, they are all well worth checking out!

  1. Summer of Code options
  2. Scholarships, internships & stipends
  3. Communities
  4. Training & courses
  5. Talk tips
  6. Useful resources

Summer of Code options

Open to university students in most countries. Participants work with an open source organization on a 3-month programming project. Includes mentor-student evaluations. Stipends offered.

A 3-month program open to participants of any skill level. Helps beginners get started with open source development. Includes competitive elements. Girlscript also offers a range of other projects such as an Education Outreach program.

A 4-week programme running throughout July. Provides students with training and networking opportunities, plus the “support necessary to transform open innovation projects into powerful real-world services”.

Short-term grants (€5,000) offering students the opportunity to gain programming and project management experience while contributing to open source. Single applicants or teams of 2 are accepted.

New 2-month program designed to help absolute beginners get started in open source. Mentor support offered. This Medium post explains more.

A new 12-week remote program from Major League Hacking and GitHub Education where ‘pods’ of 8-10 students work together on open source projects with mentor guidance. Weekly events. Full-time. Stipends provided.

A bit different. For established technical writers who want the open source experience with mentor support. Bolster your skill set, learn new technologies, and contribute to some awesome projects.

Scholarships, internships & stipends

Financial awards helping women from underrepresented communities on low incomes complete technical educations. Also runs the annual Grace Hopper Celebration, Systers Community, and AnitaB.org India

Organised by Lesbians Who Tech. This fund covers up to 50% of tuition fees and provides a network of mentors for LGBTQ women and non-binary coders to kickstart a career in tech.

Twice-yearly. Designed to support people from underrepresented groups uncertain of how to get started in open source software. Interns get a travel stipend, mentorship, guidance for contributing to FOSS, and a chance to give their first public tech talk.

A range of grants supporting people’s venture into tech/computer science and further development. Offers programs specifically for coders from traditionally underrepresented groups and those with disabilities. Eligibility can vary by region.

Communities

Monthly Get-Togethers for the LGBT+ and female tech science communities, hosted by businesses that promote diversity. Open to interested newbies and experienced professionals alike. Stay connected any time with the Unicorns in Tech app.

Connecting women programmers across Asia who want to learn and advance. Meetups, a bootcamp, tech talks, workshops, and study groups - they have something for coders at any technical skill level.

Chapters and conferences that equip women, trans, and non-binary technologists to become more visible leaders and overcome the effects of marginalisation. Helps participants expand their expertise through writing, speaking, and making open source contributions with the support of an extensive peer network.

Bringing together women excited about new technology. Oodles to hear, watch, read, and attend. Ultimately helping female techies develop the skills necessary to become leaders.

Training & courses

Guidance for first-time open source contributors. Covers everything from understanding repos to simplifying the project onboarding process. Their WiT Commmunity brings together and empowers women in tech in India.

Free 7-month web development program for people facing barriers to education and work. Also provides soft skill training and a platform for companies to hire graduates. The HYF Fellowship helps refugees-turned-coders create a portfolio to land your first web developer role.

Fighting discrimination and empowering the LGBTQIA community. Equips transgender and gender nonconforming individuals with career-ready skills through education and employment programs.

  • Geekettes
  • Location: Germany, Portugal, London, Maastricht, Gaza, and New York

Motivating women to get involved with tech design, innovation, development, and leadership. Teaching and enhancing skills via talks, workshops, hackathons, and mentorship.

With a focus on diversity and education, this group teaches women how to code in various programming languages. Also organises workshops and IT-based summer camps for girls.

Paid program. Helps mothers gain the skills, knowledge, and community involvement needed to re-enter the workforce in a tech career. Offers on-site childcare.

Talk tips

Currently a work in progress. Resources and podcasts promoting female speakers at tech conferences and tips for making your talk a success.

Working to “radically expand gender diversity at the podium of professional programmers’ conferences”. Promoting, celebrating, and normalising the involvement of underrepresented genders in tech talks.

A platform for conferences and events to offer free entry tickets to underrepresented minorities in tech. New opportunities regularly announced on Twitter.

Useful resources

For wider reading and information around diversity, inclusion, and access to technology, visit the Travis Foundation resources page.

Coding resources and meetups. Regular newsletters provide reading lists, webinars, and conference tickets.

Comprehensive collection of events, communities, scholarship opportunities, and much more. When you’re ready to look for a job in tech, #ChangeTheRatio might be a good place to promote your skills.

Sharing links to helpful pieces written by techie people from underrepresented groups. Stay up to date on Twitter or sign up for a weekly newsletter.

For those just starting out in programming. Introducing basic principles such as how computers work, and recommendations for courses to set you on your way.

Coder or not, it's well worth exploring this curated bunch of self-care resources. The tips, games, exercises, podcasts, tools, and further reads could be just what you need to restore your vim and avoid burnout. Now includes a section on remote working.

Folks Who Code have collated an exhaustive list of goodies around diversity in tech. Includes programs, courses, articles, organisations, communities, events, blogs, etc… Updated regularly.

Maria Campbell's blog offers plenty of insightful gems on workplace practices and culture, such as this advice for jobseekers wanting to ascertain which employers commit to recruiting a diverse workforce.

A comprehensive guide for anyone wanting to set up and grow an open source project of your very own. Covers everything from best practices to building a community.