GSoC 2026 Proposal Submission Deadline: What Mentors and Org Admins Need to Know

The GSoC 2026 contributor proposal submission period will officially close on Tuesday, March 31 at 18:00 UTC. After this deadline, no new proposals can be submitted, and existing proposals cannot be modified.

To ensure a smooth and effective selection process, mentors and organization administrators should take the following steps before the deadline:

Verify Project Size

Confirm that each proposal aligns with your organization’s expectations in terms of scope—90, 175, or 350 hours.
If a proposal is incorrectly sized, contributors must update and resubmit it before the deadline. No changes can be made after March 31 at 18:00 UTC.

Review the Selection Process

Take time to revisit the project selection guidelines and FAQs. This helps ensure consistency and clarity during evaluation.

Prioritize Real Contributor Engagement

It is strongly recommended not to accept proposals from contributors who have had no prior interaction with your organization.

With the increasing use of generative AI, some applications may appear highly polished but may not accurately reflect a contributor’s actual skills or understanding.

Instead, base your evaluation on:

• Conversations and discussions with contributors
• Prior contributions and activity
• Demonstrated interest and engagement with your community

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right contributors is critical to the success of your projects and the broader GSoC experience. Taking the time now to verify details and evaluate candidates carefully will lead to stronger outcomes for everyone involved.

Make sure all necessary checks are completed before March 31, 18:00 UTC.

— INCF GSoC Team