Outreachy Internship Guide: How to Apply, Contribute, and Succeed

Breaking into tech can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to open source. You might ask yourself: Where do I start? What if I don’t have prior experience? How do I find a project I can contribute to?

Outreachy is an incredible opportunity designed to bridge that gap. It provides paid internships for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them get started in open source. But, getting selected isn’t just about applying; it’s about taking the proper steps from the beginning.

If you’re new to Outreachy, you might be wondering:

How do I write a compelling application?
How do I choose the right project during the contribution phase?
What’s the best way to make a meaningful contribution?
How can I make my application stand out?

I had these same questions when I started my Outreachy journey. Now, after navigating the application and contribution process, I want to share what I’ve learned to help you successfully apply and improve your chances of selection.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best practices for getting started with Outreachy, from understanding the program and applying to making impactful contributions and submitting a strong final application. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to follow, so you can confidently apply and maximize your chances of success.

Understanding Outreachy: What it is and how it works

Before starting the application process, it’s essential to understand what Outreachy is and how the program is structured. Outreachy isn’t just another internship program, it’s a gateway into the open source community, providing hands-on experience while promoting diversity and inclusion in tech.

What Is Outreachy?

Outreachy is a paid, remote internship program designed to provide opportunities in tech for individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups. It offers internships in various open source projects across different tech fields. It’s not just for coders, there are opportunities in documentation, UI/UX design, project management, and more. Outreachy aims to support individuals who face systemic bias in their regions, helping them gain experience and build a career in tech.

How Does The Program Work?

The Outreachy program consists of three main phases:

1. Initial Application Phase

The Initial Application Phase is the first step in the Outreachy process. Applicants submit a form detailing their background, experiences, and any challenges they’ve faced in accessing tech opportunities. A strong application provides clear, specific examples rather than vague statements. Outreachy reviews submissions to determine eligibility, and approved applicants move on to the Contribution Phase.

Helpful Tips for Success:

Be honest and detailed in your responses.
Provide concrete examples of your experiences.
Submit your application before the deadline.

2. Contribution Phase

In this phase, approved applicants actively contribute to an open source project to demonstrate their skills and commitment. Choosing the right project is crucial, pick one that aligns with your interests and skill set. Engage with mentors, complete tasks such as fixing bugs, improving documentation, or adding features, and record all contributions on the Outreachy website to remain eligible for final selection.

How to stand out:

Be proactive and communicate effectively with mentors.
Focus on high-impact contributions, whether in code, documentation, or design.
Submit your final application on time.

3. Internship Phase

The Outreachy internship is a three-month, remote program where selected applicants work on open source projects under the guidance of mentors. Interns contribute to real-world codebases, collaborate with the open-source community, and develop both technical and professional skills.

By the end of the internship, participants gain hands-on experience, build their portfolios, and open doors to future opportunities in tech.

Preparing for the Application phase

In my opinion, this is the most important phase because it’s what gets your foot in the door. During this stage, applicants submit a form outlining their background, experience, and eligibility. The application includes a series of questions designed to assess whether an applicant qualifies for the program.

To increase your chances of success, keep these key points in mind:

1. Track Outreachy Deadlines Carefully

Missing a deadline at any stage will lead to disqualification, so stay organized. Set calendar reminders for:

Application submission deadlines
Contribution phase deadlines
Final selection dates

2. Be Detailed and Specific in Your Responses

When answering questions, share your personal story and provide concrete examples. Avoid vague statements. Specificity makes your application stand out.

For example, instead of saying:

🚫 "I face gender discrimination."

A stronger response would be:

✅ "As a woman in Nigeria pursuing a career in technology, I experience systemic bias. Women make up less than 22% of the tech workforce in Nigeria, and access to mentorship and career growth opportunities is often limited."

3. Focus on Your Lived Experience

Describe the challenges you face in your country or community, rather than hypothetical barriers in another region. When discussing cultural or systemic challenges, assume the reader has no prior knowledge of your situation. Provide enough context to help them understand its significance and impact on your journey.

4. Write Your Own Story

Avoid using AI-generated content or having others write your responses. Outreachy is not judging you on grammar or spelling, they want to hear your authentic voice. Be honest, be yourself, and express your experiences in your own words.

What Happens After Submission?

Once you submit your application, Outreachy reviewers assess your responses to determine if you’re a good fit for the program. The key to a strong application is demonstrating genuine interest in open source and the internship.

Getting started with contributions

During the Contribution Phase, accepted applicants select a project and contribute based on the skills required. To be eligible for an Outreachy internship, you must make at least one contribution, only those who contribute will be considered for selection.

In this phase, you'll explore a list of projects, choose one or two that interest you, and make contributions that align with the project’s needs. Contributions can range from documentation and coding to UI/UX improvements, research, and more. This phase is crucial, as mentors assess applicants based on the quality and impact of their contributions.

Key Tips for a Successful Contribution Phase

1. Choose a Project Based on Interest, Not Just Selection Chances

It may be tempting to choose a project based on what seems like the easiest path, but the best approach is to select one that aligns with your skills, interests, and passion for learning. When you work on something you genuinely care about, you’re more likely to stay motivated, make meaningful contributions, and grow as a contributor. Focus on finding a project that excites you rather than just strategizing for selection.

2. Narrow Down Your Project Selection

The list of available projects can feel overwhelming. To make it easier:

Read project descriptions carefully. Look for clear onboarding instructions and active mentor engagement.
Research the community. Choose a project with a mission you’re passionate about.
Check the required skills. Make sure the project aligns with your existing skills or is something you’re eager to learn.

Projects specify the skill levels required, usually rated from 1 to 5:

Level 1–3: No prior knowledge required, basic understanding, or something you’ve experimented with. You can apply if you're willing to learn.
Level 5: Advanced expertise needed. If you have zero experience and no interest in learning that skill, consider other projects.

3. Start Contributing Early

Many applicants underestimate how long contributions take. Depending on the difficulty of the task, completing a contribution can take anywhere from 1 to 7 days or more. Start as early as possible to avoid last-minute stress.

4. Join and Engage with the Community

Engaging with the community is crucial for success:

Communicate with mentors and fellow applicants.
Ask questions if you're stuck. Don't hesitate to seek help.
Support other applicants. Outreachy is not a competition where you must outshine others, it’s about collaboration. If you’ve solved an issue another applicant is struggling with, help them. Demonstrating strong collaboration and communication skills can be just as valuable as technical skills.

5. Find and Work on the Right Tasks

Check the "Project Contribution Information" section for available tasks. Some mentors assign tasks individually, while others let all applicants work on the same ones. Look for beginner-friendly tags like "first patch", “Prerequisite” or "newcomer-friendly" to get started.

If you're unsure where to begin:

Ask your mentor for guidance.
Clearly state your skills and learning goals. This helps mentors guide you more effectively.

By following these steps, you’ll not only make meaningful contributions but also increase your chances of being selected for the Outreachy internship.

Step By Step Guide To Contributing To A Project

From your Outreachy dashboard click on projects list①.
Scroll down to the Project Skills Key and carefully read the Experience level② descriptions to understand their meaning.
Click on the name of the project③ you’re interested in working on.

Note: Before proceeding, make sure to review the required skills and experience level④.
Read the project description carefully, as it contains all the essential information you need to get started with the community. This includes beginner-friendly prerequisite issues⑤, the project repository or contribution page⑥, and a link⑦ to the public chat where you can connect with mentors and fellow applicants.

Note: If you scroll further down, you'll find personal contact information for your mentors if you need to reach out privately. However, always strive for open communication and collaboration, as others may have similar questions or challenges. Public discussions allow mentors' responses to benefit the entire community.
After making your contributions, you must record them. To do this, return to the project list, select the project you contributed to, and click on Record Contributions and Apply to This Project⑧.
Click on Record a Contribution⑨.
Enter the required details in the provided field, then click Save⑩ to complete the process.
Congratulations! You have successfully recorded your first contribution.
You can record additional contributions by scrolling down and clicking the Record a Contribution⑪ button.
Once you have recorded all your contributions, click the Apply for This Project⑫ button to complete your final application.

Note: Take your time to complete the final application. Collaborate with your mentor and fellow applicants to clarify any uncertainties. Since the final application plays a crucial role in your selection as an intern, ensure you fill it out carefully and thoroughly.

Writing a Strong Final Application

The final application is your last opportunity to convince Outreachy mentors that you’re the right candidate for the internship. A well-crafted application should showcase your contributions, collaboration with the community, skills, experiences, and motivation for joining the program.

How to Write a Compelling Final Application

1. Highlight Your Contributions

Your contributions are the most important part of your application. Clearly describe:

The issues you worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you solved them.
The technical skills you gained during the process.
Links to issues, pull requests or merge requests as proof of your work.
(If required) Links to assistance you provided to other applicants during the Contribution Phase.

2. Discuss Past Experience with Communities

If you’ve participated in other open-source projects or tech communities, mention:

The roles you played and the impact you made.

How your previous experiences prepared you for the Outreachy internship.

Note: This isn’t mandatory! It’s completely fine if Outreachy is your first open source experience.

3. Showcase Relevant Projects

If you have worked on personal, academic, or freelance projects that align with the skills required for the internship, describe them by explaining:

The technologies you used.
The problems you solved.
How these projects prepared you for Outreachy.

4. Answer Community-Specific Questions Thoughtfully

Each Outreachy project may have specific questions to assess your understanding of the project and your motivation. To stand out:

Research the project and its goals.
Provide clear, well-thought-out answers that show your enthusiasm and readiness to contribute.

5. Create a Realistic Project Timeline

Mentors want to see that you can plan and manage your work effectively. Your timeline should:

Break down the tasks you plan to complete during the internship.
Set milestones and deadlines to track progress.
Be flexible enough to adapt to changes during the program.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying with minimal or no contributions.
Listing projects you didn’t work on.
Writing vague or generic answers without personal insights.
Not providing proof of contributions, such as pull requests or issue links.

A strong final application should demonstrate your technical skills, collaboration skills, problem-solving abilities, and passion for open source. Be clear, detailed, and authentic to stand out.

Post-Application: What to Do While Waiting for Results

Submitting your final application is not the end of the journey, it’s just the beginning. To strengthen your chances of selection and to grow as an open-source contributor, it’s important to remain active and committed. Here’s why:

1. Keep Contributing Even After Submitting Your Application

Your application is a reflection of your efforts up to that point, but mentors also look for long-term dedication. Continuing to contribute after submitting your application:

Shows consistency and commitment to the project.
Demonstrates that you are not just applying for the stipend but are genuinely interested in open source.
Keeps you engaged with the community, making you more noticeable to mentors.
Even if you don’t get selected, ongoing contributions can put you in a strong position for future opportunities in open source projects or even Outreachy’s next cohort.

2. Learn from Rejections and Improve for the Next Round

Rejection is not the end, it’s a learning opportunity. Many Outreachy interns were not selected on their first attempt but came back stronger. If you don’t get selected:

Request feedback from mentors or review your application to identify areas for improvement.
Analyze the selected intern: what did selected applicants do differently?
Improve your technical skills, communication, and contribution consistency for a better chance next time.

Your experience from the first application will make your second attempt much stronger.

3. Network with Past Outreachy Interns

Connecting with past interns can give you insights that are not documented anywhere else. They can:

Share their application strategies and contribution tips.
Help you understand what mentors look for in successful applicants.
Offer guidance on navigating open-source projects effectively.

Applying for Outreachy is more than just filling out a form, it’s about proving your dedication to open source, gaining hands-on experience, and becoming part of a global community. By carefully crafting your application, making meaningful contributions, and staying engaged even after submission, you increase your chances of success.

Even if you don’t get selected, the experience you gain is invaluable. Learn from the process, improve your skills, and try again in the next round. Outreachy is not just an internship; it’s a stepping stone to a thriving career in open source. Stay committed, keep learning, and embrace the journey.

The Ultimate Guide To Getting Started With Outreachy