> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.summerofbitcoin.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.summerofbitcoin.org/about/how-it-works.md). # How it works? * If you’re eligible for the program, the first thing to do is to [apply](https://www.summerofbitcoin.org/apply)! * [Apply to developer track](https://www.summerofbitcoin.org/apply-dev) if you are a developer * [Apply to designer track](https://www.summerofbitcoin.org/apply-design) if you are a UX designer * Last date to apply is **February 15, 2026**. * After you have submitted the application form, you will receive an email acknowledging the receipt of your application. * Applicants will be screened as per the details provided in their application form, considering their coding or design portfolios and open-source contributions. * If your application is found suitable, you will receive an email with next steps on February 16, 2026. * Qualified students will participate in the challenge round - an intensive, hands-on bootcamp from February 16, 2026, to March 20, 2026, designed to provide a deep understanding of Bitcoin. * During the challenge round / bootcamp, students will have access to curated learning resources and be invited to an exclusive Discord server to ask questions and engage in discussions. * Each week during the challenge round / bootcamp, students will receive a coding or design challenge (based on their chosen track) to test their knowledge of bitcoin and qualify for the next stage. * Every year, Summer of Bitcoin partners with several open-source Bitcoin organizations. Each organization is represented by one or more mentors who provide a list of project ideas. As an applicant, you're expected to select a project idea based on your skill set and interests, use the project idea as a starting point to write detailed project proposals. * The list of participating organizations and their project ideas will be published on the website by March 31, 2026. * Each qualifying candidate will receive a login credential to log into the Summer of Bitcoin portal. Project proposals are to be submitted on the portal by April 20, 2026. Learn more about past years' organizations [here](https://www.summerofbitcoin.org/past-programs). * Candidates will be selected based on the quality of their project proposal, solutions to the bootcamp challenges and proactive contributions to the project they're applying to. See[ https://www.summerofbitcoin.org/how-it-works ](https://www.summerofbitcoin.org/how-it-works)for a high-level overview and timeline of the program. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://guide.summerofbitcoin.org/about/how-it-works.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.