View source for Google Summer of Code 2026

= Introduction =

QEMU is participating in [https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/ Google Summer of Code 2026]. This page contains our ideas list and information for applicants and mentors. Google Summer of Code is an open source internship program offering paid remote work.

'''Status: Prospective interns can research project ideas and discuss them with mentors. Applications will be open March 16-31.'''

= Project Ideas =

{{:Internships/ProjectIdeas/FastSnapshotLoad}}
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{{:Internships/ProjectIdeas/RDPUSB}}
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{{:Internships/ProjectIdeas/VhostUserMemoryIsolation}}
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{{:Internships/ProjectIdeas/VhostUserRTC}}
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{{:Internships/ProjectIdeas/COCONUTSVSMPCID}}
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{{:Internships/ProjectIdeas/COCONUTSVSMObservability}}
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{{:Internships/ProjectIdeas/SCSITape}}

= Application Process =

<blockquote>
=== AI Policy ===
;Do not use AI to generate your proposal
: Exception: You may use AI to adjust grammar. This can be useful if you are not a native speaker.
;Do not use AI to generate code
: Exceptions: You can still use AI to understand the codebase, get answers to technical questions, or debug issues. Just don't generate your code using AI.
</blockquote>

=== 1. Discuss the project idea with the mentor(s) ===

Read the project ideas list and choose one you are interested in. Read the links in the project idea description and start thinking about how you would approach this. Ask yourself:
* Do I have the necessary technical skills to complete this project?
* Will I be able to work independently without the physical presence of my mentor?

If you answer no to these questions, choose another project idea and/or organization that fits your skills.

Once you have identified a suitable project idea, email the mentor(s) your questions about the idea and explain your understanding of the project idea to them to verify that you are on the right track.

=== 2. Submit your proposal ===

Upload your proposal PDF file to the [https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/ Google Summer of Code website] and notify your mentor(s) so they can give you feedback.

You can make changes and upload the PDF again until the application deadline. Your proposal must include the following:
* Project idea (title)
* Your name and email address
* Outline of your solution
** Do some background research by looking at source code, browsing relevant specifications, etc in order to decide how to tackle the project. Discuss any questions with your mentor. This section will explain how your solution will work.
* Project schedule
** Create a week-by-week schedule of the coding period. Breaking down the project into tasks and estimate how many weeks they will take. The schedule can be adjusted during the summer so don't worry about getting everything right ahead of time.
* Relevant experience (programming language knowledge, hobby projects, etc)
* Are you available to work with no other commitments (jobs, university, vacation, etc) for the duration of your project? If not, please give details about the working hours and dates.

=== 3. Contribution task ===

Once you have submitted your proposal PDF, your mentor might ask you to complete a contribution task. The task will be a real bug or small feature that should not take more than 1 or 2 days to complete. This will allow you to demonstrate your skills in a realistic setting.

== Key Dates ==

From the [https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/timeline timeline]:

* February 19 18:00 UTC - Organizations and project ideas announced
* March 16-31 18:00 UTC - Application period
* April 15 - Contribution task deadline
* April 30 18:00 UTC - Accepted applicants announced
* May 25 - August 24 - Standard coding period (an extended timeline is possible depending on your project)

= Find Us =

* IRC (GSoC specific): [https://webchat.oftc.net/?channels=qemu-gsoc #qemu-gsoc on irc.oftc.net]

* IRC (development):
** QEMU: [https://webchat.oftc.net/?channels=qemu #qemu on irc.oftc.net]
** KVM: #kvm on chat.freenode.net

* Mailing lists:
** QEMU: [http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/qemu-devel qemu-devel]
** KVM: [http://www.linux-kvm.org/page/Lists,_IRC linux-kvm]

For general questions about QEMU in GSoC, please contact the following people:

* [[User:Stefanha|Stefan Hajnoczi]] <stefanha@gmail.com> (stefanha on IRC)

= How to get familiar with our software =

See what people are developing and talking about on the mailing lists:
* [http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.emulators.qemu/ qemu-devel]
* [http://www.spinics.net/lists/kvm/ kvm]

Grab the source code or browse it:
* [http://git.qemu-project.org/?p=qemu.git;a=summary qemu.git]
* [https://git.kernel.org/cgit/virt/kvm/kvm.git/ kvm.git]

Build QEMU and run it: [http://wiki.qemu-project.org/Hosts/Linux QEMU on Linux Hosts]

= Links =

* [https://google.github.io/gsocguides/student/ Student Manual]
* [https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/faq FAQ]
* [https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/timeline Timeline]
* [http://blog.vmsplice.net/2011/03/advice-for-students-applying-to-google.html Advice for students applying (from 2011 but still relevant!)]

= How to add a project idea =
Mentors may add a project idea by following these steps:
# Create a new wiki page under "Internships/ProjectIdeas/YourIdea" based on the [[#Project idea template]].
# Link to your new wiki page using the following syntax: <nowiki>{{:Internships/ProjectIdeas/YourIdea}}</nowiki>

== Project idea template ==

 <nowiki>=== TITLE ===
 
 '''Summary:''' One sentence describing the project
 
 Detailed description of the project (5 sentences).

 Expected outcomes.
 
 '''Details:'''
 * Difficulty: beginner, intermediate, or advanced
 * Project size: 90 hours, 175 hours, or 350 hours
 * Required skills: C/Rust/Python
 * Mentors: Email address and IRC nick</nowiki>

[[Category:GSoC]]