NRNB Mentoring Organization

"Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is a global program that offers student developers stipends to write code for various open source projects. Google will be working with several open source, free software, and technology-related groups to identify and fund several projects over a three month period. Since its inception in 2005, the program has brought together thousands of students and mentors from over 100 countries worldwide, all for the love of code." GSoC has several goals:

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GSoC main site
  • get more open source code created and released for the benefit of all
  • inspire young developers to begin participating in open source development
  • help open source projects identify and bring in new developers and committers
  • provide students the opportunity to do work related to their academic pursuits during the summer
  • give students more exposure to real-world software development scenarios

The National Resource for Network Biology (NRNB) is organizing the joint efforts of Cytoscape, WikiPathways and other network biology tools. This is a great opportunity to work at the intersection of biology and computing! We take mentoring seriously and are proud of our 90% success rate with former students and projects. But don't take our word for it, read testimonials from prior NRNB students and mentors, and success story profiles. And you also get a certificate of completion!

The success of our mentoring program depends on dedicated mentors, great project ideas, amazing students, and effective fundraising. Please contact us with ideas or leads on potential corporate sponsors or use the PayPal widget below to make your own tax deductible donation.

This is a tax deductible donation to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,
The Cytoscape Consoritum, Tax ID: 20-4909879.

How to apply

  • Find a project.
  • Start with this Google Doc template. Copy and paste the contents into your own Google Doc and begin filling it out.
  • Get in contact with your potential mentors (listed per project) as soon as possible to get input and feedback on your application.
  • Submit your application well before the deadline. Late submissions will NOT be considered.

If you are selected

  • You be working with a small, active group of programmers that also speak biology
  • You will be gaining experience in a rapidly evolving field that interfaces computer and biological sciences
  • You might make more than you would mowing lawns!

Timeline

  • 9 March: Accepted mentoring organizations announced
  • 29 March: Student application period opens
  • 13 April: Student application deadline
  • 7 June: Coding begins
  • 23 August: Coding ends
  • Complete Program Timeline

Policy Notice

  • As of 2021, projects are 175 hours over 10 weeks, and the student base is expanded to include post-graduate students.
  • A person can only participate a maximum of 2 times as a GSoC student in their lifetime.
  • Students must submit their code before the mentor can complete their final evaluation of the work.
  • No mentor stipends: org payments will be reserved by NRNB to fund activities such as NRNB Academy.
  • Organizations who do not complete all student and mentor evaluations will lose their mentor summit invitations and travel stipends.
  • Students cannot apply to a group that they are already in a mentoring program with the group.

Resources

For Students

For Mentors

Communication

Prior Year Reports

Other Opportunities

If you don't qualify for GSoC, consider some of these other opportunties:
  • NRNB Academy -- Open to anyone at any age or education level. Open enrollment all year-round. You will be paired with a mentor and particular project that matches your interests and skills. Start by browsing our project list (currently being updated), then fill-out the application form.
  • TEALS -- Microsoft Philanthropies supports many opportunities for high school students. Check out this page for details.