University of Toronto Faculty of Arts and Sciences - The Sandbox
University of Toronto Faculty of Arts and Sciences - The Sandbox
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Building Ethical Open-Source Software Solutions with Industry Collaboration

Open Closing on December 16, 2025
Main contact
University of Toronto
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rutwa Engineer
Rutwa Engineer
Assistant Professor
2
Timeline
  • January 5, 2026
    Sandbox start
  • February 14, 2026
    Mid-point check-in
  • April 3, 2026
    Sandbox end
Sandbox
10 projects wanted
Dates set by sandbox
Preferred partners
Anywhere
Any partner type
Any industries

Sandbox scope

Categories
Mobile app development Information technology Software development Machine learning Artificial intelligence
Skills
algorithm design code review computer science technical documentation data analysis problem solving innovation software development
Student goals and capabilities

This experience connects industry professionals with learners who have foundational knowledge in computer science, focusing on practical applications of programming, data analysis, and software development. Learners are equipped to tackle real-world challenges by applying their skills in coding, algorithm design, and problem-solving to projects that require innovative solutions. By collaborating with learners, companies can benefit from fresh perspectives and technical insights to enhance their projects.


Please note we are ONLY looking for open-source projects (meaning no NDAs or confidentiality agreements).

Students

Students
Undergraduate
Intermediate, Advanced levels
80 students
Project
80-120 hours per student
Sandbox leads assign students to projects
Teams of 6
Expected outcomes and deliverables
  • Prototype of a software application or tool
  • Data analysis report with actionable insights
  • Algorithm development and optimization
  • Technical documentation and user guides
  • Code review and improvement suggestions
Project timeline
  • January 5, 2026
    Sandbox start
  • February 14, 2026
    Mid-point check-in
  • April 3, 2026
    Sandbox end

Project examples

  • Develop a prototype for a mobile app feature
  • Create a data visualization dashboard for business analytics
  • Optimize an existing algorithm for better performance
  • Conduct a security audit of a small software system
  • Design a user-friendly interface for a web application
  • Implement a machine learning model for predictive analysis
  • Automate a routine data processing task
  • Enhance the functionality of an open-source project

Additional partner criteria

Partners must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this sandbox:

  • Q1 - Multiple choice
    This is a student project with limited resources and time. You may need extra resources to finish the project after the term. Is this an acceptable outcome for your organization?  *
    • Yes
    • No
  • Q2 - Multiple choice
    Do you have dedicated team members available to meet online with us at least four times a month (~1 hour each time)?  *
    • Yes
    • Part-time employee/staff only
    • No
  • Q3 - Text long
    Briefly describe the technical background, if any, of your volunteers/staff that would be assigned/monitor to this project  *
  • Q4 - Multiple choice
    How developed is this project proposal?  *
    • It's an idea for now
    • I know users well/ I have done market research
    • I have a prototype (e.g. in Figma)
    • We're building the software and need help
    • + 2
  • Q5 - Text short
    Is there code already or is it a new project?  *
  • Q6 - Text short
    Do you want/need a specific technology? (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure, Java, etc.) and why (e.g., already have a tech stack, dependent on external or internal solutions).  *
  • Q7 - Number
    How many teams would you be able to work with for this project?  *
  • Q8 - Text short
    Who are the intended users/beneficiaries/stakeholders of the project?  *
  • Q9 - Text long
    In simple terms, list the key functionalities from the perspective of the users. Think in terms of capabilities and less in terms of specifics. Please list everything that comes to mind and clarify priorities.  *
  • Q10 - Text long
    What value would it bring to your users? Please explain it for students so they are more motivated to choose to work on this project.  *
  • Q11 - Text short
    Will the project handle sensitive information? Will you require an NDA?  *
  • Q12 - Text long
    What is your next step after this project?This helps us understand how developed the project needs to be. Some partners only want initial mockups to get feedback/approval, some want to share with early users, some want to go live immediately  *
  • Q13 - Text long
    Do you depend on any external resources to move the project forward?Examples include needing design, hardware, software access, expertise, permits, approval, integration needs, etc. that cannot be provided by your team? If yes, Please explain and get started on getting them.  *
  • Q14 - Multiple choice
    Student Publishing Rights  *
    • Students can mention the project (e.g., on their resume) but not post public source code or working software (e.g., like a standard internship)
    • Students can publish source code and design but not the software
    • Students can publish everything