Google's Summer of Code project has become somewhat of an institution, with hundreds of organizations applying for a spot on the program. Ubuntu has been a partner since the project started in 2005 and, this year, it's doing the same. The open-source Linux distribution is now looking for students who aren't afraid of getting their hands dirty coding for Ubuntu this summer, but also for mentors to help them out.

"I'm very excited to announce that Ubuntu has applied as participating organisation in the Google Summer of Code 2010!," Ubuntu's Daniel Holbach writes. "We submitted an organisational application, along with suggested ideas for potential projects for students. We also encourage students to come up with their own ideas. If you're a student interested in Open Source (or if you know students who are), now is the time to act to get involved in Google's wonderful Summer of Code program."

So, if you're thinking about a fun project you'd like to complete during the summer holiday, it's time to start planning. Students will be able to start applying for a project from March 29 and the registration period runs until April 9. Of course, Ubuntu has to be accepted as a partner first, that list will be made available on March 18, but, since the project has been a part of Google's Summer of Code since its inception and due to the fact that it's the most popular Linux distribution out there, it's almost a given that Ubuntu's application gets accepted.

In Google's Summer of Code, students work by themselves or in small teams on an open-source project, from the ones made available by the participating organizations, which they have to complete during the summer. Last year, Google listed 150 projects and accepted 1,000 students to work on them, 85 percent of whom were completed in time.