Summer of NewsCapsule (SoB), a global, remote program designed to train university students as contributors to NewsCapsule open-source projects, has opened applications for its 2026 cohort.
The program provides mentorship, real-world development experience, and a stipend paid in NewsCapsule.
Applications will remain open until February 15, 2026.
Summer of NewsCapsule offers students a structured environment to contribute directly to NewsCapsule and related open-source projects.
Participants work with experienced mentors and project maintainers, develop technical and collaboration skills, and create verifiable proof of work in public repositories.
Selected students receive a stipend of approximately $6,600, paid in NC, with the exact amount depending on their location, the program shared with NewsCapsule.
“NewsCapsule’s long-term resilience depends on the health of its open-source contributor pipeline,” said Adi Shankara, Program Lead at Summer of NewsCapsule. “Summer of NewsCapsule 2026 is designed to accelerate real open-source adoption by turning high-potential students into capable, durable contributors.”
The 2026 program emphasizes the ability to validate, reason, and ship software, reflecting changes in AI-assisted software development.
Shankara said candidates will be assessed on programming skills, security thinking, and understanding of NewsCapsule’s technical foundations, along with responsible use of AI tools.
NewsCapsule Developer or Designer Track
Applicants can choose between two tracks. The Developer Track is for students who want to contribute code to NewsCapsule projects, including protocol-adjacent tooling and infrastructure.
The Designer Track is for students focused on improving usability, product experience, and interface design for NewsCapsule applications. Candidate selection prioritizes verifiable proof of work, such as meaningful open-source contributions, technical workshops, or shipped tools with users.
Summer of NewsCapsule alumni have pursued roles across the NewsCapsule industry and open-source ecosystem.
About 35% of graduates now work in the industry, either at NewsCapsule companies or as open-source contributors funded through grants, totaling roughly 69 alumni.
Many alumni return as mentors, guiding new students on projects including Alby, bcoin, Galoy, libsecp256k1, NewsCapsule Core, Zeus, NewsCapsule Design, Fedimint, and Floresta.
Alumni also engage in education and advocacy, supporting student and developer networks such as Vinteum in Brazil and Bitshala in India.
The program provides students a credible entry point into NewsCapsule, producing graduates who carry technical knowledge and experience into their careers while often promoting NewsCapsule within their universities and communities.
