MLH Fellowship
Remote 12-week software engineering fellowship by Major League Hacking placing students with open source projects and real companies as an alternative to traditional internships.
Overview
The MLH Fellowship is a remote program run by Major League Hacking (MLH) that provides software engineering fellows with 12 weeks of intensive collaborative experience working on real open source projects or with tech companies. The fellowship offers three tracks: Open Source (contributing to popular open source projects), Externship (working on engineering problems at tech companies), and Production Engineering (site reliability, DevOps, and systems engineering at Meta partner companies). Fellows work in small pods with mentors and fellow contributors, gaining portfolio-worthy real-world experience. The program runs multiple cohorts per year and is designed as an accessible alternative or complement to traditional internships.
What You Can Find Here
- Open Source track: 12 weeks contributing to major open source projects (Linux, Kubernetes, etc.)
- Externship track: working on real engineering problems at tech companies
- Production Engineering track (with Meta): SRE and infrastructure engineering experience
- Stipend for accepted fellows (varies by track and cohort)
- Mentorship from experienced engineers at partner organizations
- Community of fellow developers, hackathons, and workshops during the program
- Certificate and portfolio work recognized by employers
Who Should Use This
- Computer science and software engineering students seeking real-world project experience
- Developers who could not secure a traditional internship seeking an alternative
- Early-career developers wanting portfolio-worthy open source contributions with mentorship
- Students interested in SRE, DevOps, or production engineering (Production Engineering track)
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Visit fellowship.mlh.io to check upcoming cohort dates and open applications
- Step 2: Choose the track most aligned with your skills and goals: Open Source, Externship, or Production Engineering
- Step 3: Apply online with your technical background, GitHub profile, and motivation for the specific track
- Step 4: Shortlisted applicants may complete a technical assessment or interview
- Step 5: Accepted fellows are placed in pods and begin the 12-week program
Things to Check Before Applying
- MLH Fellowship runs multiple cohorts per year - check fellowship.mlh.io for currently open applications
- Different tracks have different eligibility and activity requirements
- The Production Engineering track is specifically in partnership with Meta (Facebook) infrastructure teams
- Stipend amounts vary by cohort - check current fellowship details for exact compensation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MLH Fellowship only for students?
MLH Fellowship primarily targets students, but early-career developers may also apply. Check the specific cohort eligibility details.
How does MLH Fellowship compare to a traditional internship?
MLH Fellowship is fully remote and collaborative, working in pods with multiple companies/projects rather than one company. It provides diverse experience but may not carry the same brand recognition as a FAANG internship.
Is MLH Fellowship paid?
Yes. MLH Fellows receive a stipend. Exact amounts vary by track and cohort - check fellowship.mlh.io for current compensation details.
What is the acceptance rate for MLH Fellowship?
MLH does not publish official acceptance rates but the program is competitive, with thousands of applications per cohort and acceptance rates estimated in the 10-20% range for strong applicants.
Can international students apply for MLH Fellowship?
Yes. MLH Fellowship is open to applicants worldwide. The program is fully remote, making it accessible to international participants.
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