A project proposal is what you will be judged upon. So, as a general recommendation, write a clear proposal on what you plan to do, what your project is and what it is not, etc. Several websites now contain hints and other useful information on writing up such proposals.
FD.io does not require a specific format or specific list of information, but here are some specific points that you should address in your application:
- The project you are proposing.
- Why you’d like to execute on this particular project and the reason you’re the best individual to do so.
- Details of your academic, industry and/or open source development experience, as well as other details as you see fit.
- Provide links to the Gerrit URL(s) of your submitted patches to any project, at least one patch must be provided
- An explanation of your development methodology.
- Your contact information.
- One or two references.
- Regardless of what you include in your proposal, we recommend you speak to the FD.io project and/or mentor you are applying to about what they are looking for in a proposal to give you the best chance of success in your proposal.
- Interns can submit their own project proposals if desired. If you as an Intern submit your own proposal (here), please contact Casey Cain to request a mentor.
- Finally, please also include proof of current academic attendance (transcript, copy of student ID). You must be a current or graduating student in 2017 to be eligible.
After you have written your proposal, you should get it reviewed. Do not rely on the FD.io mentors to do it for you: they will only send back a proposal if they find it lacking. Instead, ask a colleague or a developer to do it for you. Once your proposal is ready send it here! A Linux Foundation staff member will get back to you shortly.
Basic Template
You can make a copy of and use this doc as a basic template to submit your Project Proposals.
This can act as a living document to help track the progress of your internship. You are welcome to use other tools or services though. If you are having trouble reaching the document, please let your mentor know.
Hints
Submit your proposal early: early submissions get more attention from developers for the simple fact that they have more time to dedicate to reading them. The more people see it, the more it'll get known.
Do not leave it all to the last minute: Make sure you send your application before the final rush. Also, note that the applications submitted very late will get the least attention from mentors, so you may get a low vote because of that.
Keep it simple: we don't need a 10-page essay on the project and on you. You just need to be concise and precise.
Know what you are talking about: the last thing we need is for students to submit ideas that cannot be accomplished realistically or ideas that aren't even remotely related to FD.io or SDN. If your idea is unusual, be sure to explain why you have chosen FD.io as the best place to do your internship.
Aim wide: submit more than one proposal, to different areas of FD.io. You may also submit your proposal through more than one intern program.