Rust Project Expands Mentorship Programs, Joins Outreachy for May 2026 Cohort
Rust joins Outreachy for May 2026, selects four interns for compiler, C++ interop, and fuzzing projects, expanding diversity efforts.
Breaking: Rust Project to Mentor Four Interns Under Outreachy Program
The Rust Project has announced its participation in the Outreachy open-source mentorship program for the May 2026 cohort, marking a significant expansion of its diversity and inclusion efforts. This move adds to the project's ongoing involvement in Google Summer of Code (GSoC) and OSPP.
Due to limited funding and mentoring capacity, the Rust Project will select exactly four interns for this cycle. Each intern will work on projects that directly impact Rust's compiler, tooling, and ecosystem.
What Is Outreachy and How It Differs From GSoC
Outreachy provides paid internships to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in tech, targeting systemic bias and discrimination. Unlike GSoC, Outreachy requires a dedicated contribution period before application, and interns first apply to the overall program before selecting specific communities.
The key difference lies in stipends: Google funds GSoC, but for Outreachy, the communities themselves cover intern stipends and overhead. This places a greater financial responsibility on organizations like the Rust Project.
Background
The Rust Project has a strong history of mentorship, participating in GSoC for three consecutive years. The decision to join Outreachy reflects a broader commitment to fostering diversity in open source.
“Outreachy aligns perfectly with Rust’s values of inclusion and community building,” said a Rust Project lead. “Welcome to interns who bring unique perspectives to our codebase.”
What This Means
This initiative will help Rust attract talent from underrepresented groups, strengthening its compiler and ecosystem. The projects selected target critical areas: C++ interop, compiler testing, and formal verification.
By investing in diverse mentorships, Rust not only improves its tools but also sets a precedent for other open-source communities. The success of these interns could lead to long-term contributions and a more resilient project.
Selected Interns and Their Projects
Calling Overloaded C++ Functions From Rust
Ajay Singh has been selected to implement an experimental feature for calling overloaded C++ functions from Rust. Mentored by teor, Taylor Cramer, and Ethan Smith, this project will begin testing in representative use cases.
Code Coverage of the Rust Compiler at Scale
Akintewe Oluwasola will develop workflows to run and analyze code coverage across the entire compiler test suite and ecosystem crates. Mentored by Jack Huey, the goal is to detect inadequately tested areas and build continuous analysis tools.
Fuzzing the a-mir-formality Type System Implementation
Tunde-Ajayi Olamiposi will implement fuzzing for a-mir-formality, an in-progress model for Rust’s type and trait system. Mentors include Niko Matsakis, Rémy Rakic, and tiif.
A fourth project is expected to be announced soon; the Rust Project remains fully committed to all four interns.
How to Apply or Support
Interested applicants can apply directly to Outreachy, then select the Rust Project as their community. The program runs from May to August 2026.
For those wanting to support financially or provide mentorship, the Rust Project welcomes contributions through its official channels. More details are available on the Outreachy website.