# 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.