GOOGLE SUMMER OF CODE - WHAT ACTUALLY IT IS

About Google Summer of Code

Google Summer of Code is actually a global program that offers student developers stipends to write the code for many open source softwares projects. We have (google) worked with several open source softwares, free softwares and the techno-related groups to identify and fund several projects over a three month or 12 week period.
Since its inception in 2005, the program has brought together over 5000 successful students and over 3000 mentors from 100 different countries worldwide.
Through Google Summer of Code, accepted student applicants are paired with a mentor from the participating project, thus in this way gaining exposure to real-world of software development scenarios and also the opportunity for employment in areas related to their academic pursuits.
In turn, the participating projects are also able to more easily identify and bring in new developers. Best of all, more source code is created and released for the use and benefit of all.

To learn more about this program, peruse the 2011 Frequently Asked Questions page