Google Summer of Code/2026/Project ideas

This page lists a number of ideas for potential Google Summer of Code 2026 projects. This page's primary purpose is to help to give potential applicants ideas that they can build on to turn into applications for the program. Members of the OSM developer community are encouraged to identify ideas for projects, and indicate whether they would be willing to act as a mentor for a GSoC contributor attempting the project, using the GSoC idea template.

Note on using AI tools

We recognize that generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be a tremendous help when writing code and project proposal texts. However, always keep in mind that they are only tools. They cannot do the work for you. In that spirit, you are welcome to use generative AI tools when preparing your application and during GSoC but you must always ensure that you have read, understood and verified the output. Do not copy and paste ChatGPT answers without thoroughly rereading what it has said. We expect that you will be able to answer questions about the content at any time. Furthermore, when you use generative AI, you must mention the tool(s) you used.

Participant project ideas

GSoC contributors can base their application on one of the ideas below, but we also encourage potential GSOC contributors to come up with their own ideas for projects around OpenStreetMap software. Do you have a pet annoyance you want fixed? A feature you think should be implemented? If you believe you are capable of implementing it and it fits within the time constraints and the GSOC eligibility criteria feel free to bring the idea forward.

Please get in touch with the organizers (at gsoc-orga@openstreetmap.org) as soon as possible if you want to work on something not listed here, so that we can make sure you get the best support possible. We would suggest supplying the same information as in the templates below, if you don't have a potential mentor it may be possible for us to find one for you.

About the project descriptions

As a potential mentor, please add projects using the GSoC idea template. Here is a sample template with additional hints about the fields:

Title of project idea (use this as a reference in communication with mentors and organizers)

Suggested By User who suggests the idea (not necessarily the same as the software maintainer or mentor) Summary Give a short description what the idea is about and outline the work involved. Mandatory skills Mandatory skills or knowledge the candidate is expected to have to be considered. Useful skills Additional skills and knowledge that are helpful for a smooth execution of the project. Length 90/175/350 hours (This year, GSoC projects come in three different lengths, so the scope of the project idea should reflect that.) Difficulty easy (implementation is obvious for anybody with the required skills) / medium (some research is expected and smaller road blocks that need to be solved independently) / challenging (candidates is expected to develop their own solutions to the given problem, do extensive research and/or acquire new skills) Possible Mentors OSM user names or emails of possible mentors; please link to some place that has contact details for students to reach out Notes Add additional references and links here that might be useful to understand the context of the project. Comments Any further information, requirements etc. that don't fit anywhere else. Optional.