Rust Project Expands Open Source Mentorship with Outreachy Participation

Introduction

The Rust Project has a strong track record of fostering new contributors through structured mentorship programs. Having participated in Google Summer of Code (GSoC) for three consecutive years, including the current cycle, and previously in OSPP, the project is now taking a significant step forward. We are delighted to announce that Rust will join the Outreachy program, starting with the May 2026 cohort. This move underscores Rust's commitment to inclusivity and broadening access to open-source development.

What Is Outreachy and How Does It Differ from Google Summer of Code?

Outreachy is a global program that provides paid internships in open source to individuals facing underrepresentation, systemic bias, or discrimination in the tech industry. While similar to GSoC in its goal of mentoring newcomers, Outreachy has several distinct features:

• Application process: In Outreachy, applicants first apply to the overall program before they can apply to specific communities. GSoC, in contrast, allows direct community applications.
• Contribution requirement: Outreachy mandates a dedicated contribution period where applicants must submit contributions to their chosen project. GSoC applicants often contribute, but it is not a formal requirement.
• Selection and stipends: Both programs evaluate applicants based on their contributions and applications. However, while GSoC stipends are funded entirely by Google, Outreachy stipends are covered by the participating communities themselves.

Outreachy runs two internship cycles per year: May to August and December to March. For the May 2026 cohort, the Rust Project is actively participating.

Rust's Outreachy Projects for May 2026

Due to limited funding and mentoring capacity, the Rust Project has selected four interns for this inaugural Outreachy participation. Below are the three projects announced so far:

Calling Overloaded C++ Functions from Rust

Intern: Ajay Singh
Mentors: teor, Taylor Cramer, Ethan Smith

This experimental project aims to implement a feature that enables Rust code to call overloaded C++ functions directly. Overloading—where the same function name can refer to multiple implementations based on argument types—is a common C++ feature currently unsupported in Rust's FFI. The work will involve designing the interface, implementing the necessary bindings, and testing the feature with representative use cases. Success could significantly ease interoperability between Rust and existing C++ codebases.

Code Coverage of the Rust Compiler at Scale

Intern: Akintewe Oluwasola
Mentor: Jack Huey

This project focuses on developing workflows to run and analyze code coverage of the Rust compiler itself. By leveraging the full compiler test suite and ecosystem crates detected through the cr ater tool, the intern will help identify gaps in test coverage—both inside the compiler and across the broader Rust ecosystem. The ultimate goal is to build continuous integration tools that automatically report coverage changes, enabling maintainers to ensure the compiler remains thoroughly tested as it evolves.

Fuzzing the a-mir-formality Type System Implementation

Intern: Tunde-Ajayi Olamiposi
Mentors: Niko Matsakis, Rémy Rakic, tiif

The a-mir-formality project is an in-progress formal model of Rust's type and trait systems. This internship will implement fuzzing techniques to systematically test the model against unexpected inputs, uncovering edge cases and potential inconsistencies. By automating the generation of type-theoretic scenarios, the project aims to increase confidence in the correctness of Rust's type system design—a critical foundation for the language's reliability guarantees.

Why This Matters for the Rust Community

Outreachy's focus on underrepresented groups aligns perfectly with the Rust Project's values of openness and diversity. By participating, Rust not only gains fresh perspectives and new contributors but also demonstrates a concrete commitment to making the open-source ecosystem more inclusive. The selection of four interns—each tackling challenging and impactful projects—highlights the project's dedication to mentorship and sustainable growth.

For those interested in the Rust project's broader mentorship efforts, this participation complements ongoing GSoC and OSPP initiatives. As the Rust ecosystem continues to expand, programs like Outreachy provide vital pathways for new contributors to make meaningful contributions while being supported by experienced mentors.

Looking Ahead

The May 2026 cohort marks the beginning of Rust's involvement with Outreachy. The project looks forward to welcome its first cohort of Outreachy interns and hopes to continue participation in future cycles. More details about the application process and project timelines can be found on the Outreachy website. Stay tuned for updates as these projects progress and for information on how to get involved as a mentor or contributor.