Open Source Challenge

Region: Global

The Challenge

The Challenge is now closed, but you can still experience and use the great tools from Microsoft Research. We are adding new tools every month, so be sure to visit the Project directory regularly.

Try the latest software from one of the best research laboratories in the world. Microsoft invited you to participate in the Open Source Challenge for a chance to win up to $5,000 or an interview with Microsoft Research.

Students from across the world competed to prove their skills and solve real-world problems with Microsoft’s open source tools. They showed they were up for the challenge!

Microsoft Research has over fifty projects that span the range of computer science from artificial intelligence to visualization, from cryptography to programming models. They are all showcased on our Project directory list.

How to enter

The challenge is now closed.

The challenge is simple. Choose any of these open source tools, solve a problem, and report on your findings.

1. Choose a project or problem you want to address.

2. Acquire the tool you need. Tools can be accessed from GitHub or from the project pages on our site. Some tools are on other repositories such as CodePlex. Some tools can also be run in your browser. All uses are acceptable.

3. Present your findings. Include a project description, goals, methods, challenges, and any result obtained. Make sure to also submit sample input, output or screenshots to show you used the tool in the project.

For full details, see the Official Rules.

The prizes

The Challenge is now closed

There is $15,000 in cash prizes to be won:

First Prize: $5,000
Second Prizes: Four at $2,500

Honorary Mention: Certificates will be presented to runner-up entries

Some participants may also be invited to visit a Microsoft Research Laboratory, or have an opportunity to interview for internships at Microsoft. In each 12-week internship, you’ll work directly with a prestigious research team on cutting-edge research.

Judging criteria

The Challenge is now closed

Entries will be judged by a panel of experts at Microsoft Research based on the following criteria:

30% – Originality of the idea
40% – Depth of use of the chosen tool
30% – Readability of the report

Submission

Submission is now closed.

REGISTER (opens in new tab) for the challenge as soon as you can. The Challenge lasts for ten weeks. The deadline for entries is April 11, 2016.

Make your submission via EasyChair (opens in new tab). You can edit your entry up until the closing time. Only one entry per person is permissible. Ensure that your entry is six pages or less, in PDF format.