highlight collaboration

- extra Collaboration section at top
- include WESTPA and MN logos

Author: orbeckst

_posts/2026-02-19-gsoc2026.md

@@ -27,6 +27,33 @@ duration can be extended from the standard 8 weeks to up to 12 weeks (for small
 Potential GSoC Contributors are expected to familiarize themselves with application
 requirements and mentoring organizations **as soon as possible**. If you are interested in working with us, please read on to learn about [MDAnalysis project ideas](#project-ideas) and [MDAnalysis-specific requirements for putting together your application](#information-for-prospective-gsoc-contributors).
 
+## Partner Projects
+
+<p>
+<a href="{{ site.baseurl }}/">
+<img src="{{ site.baseurl }}/public/mdanalysis-logo_square.png"
+style="float: right; height: 5em;" title="MDAnalysis"
+alt="MDAnalysis logo" /></a>
+
+<a href="https://westpa.github.io/westpa/"><img
+src="https://westpa.readthedocs.io/en/latest/_static/WESTPA2b.svg"
+title="WESTPA"
+alt="WESTPA logo"
+style="float: right; height: 5em; " /></a>
+
+<a href="https://bradyajohnston.github.io/MolecularNodes/"><img
+src="https://bradyajohnston.github.io/MolecularNodes/images/logo.png"
+title="Molecular Nodes"
+alt="Molecular Nodes logo"
+style="float: right; height: 5em; " /></a>
+</p>
+
+For GSOC, MDAnalysis collaborates with other projects that have direct links with MDAnalysis and where it is especially useful to draw on the combined mentoring expertise.
+
+This year, MDAnalysis is joining forces with [WESTPA]({{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#westpa) and [Molecular Nodes]({{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#molecular-nodes). Applicants who want to work with one of the collaborating projects should familiarize themselves with MDAnalysis and the project that they are interested in. GSoC projects with either WESTPA or Molecular Nodes will be mentored by experts from the collaborating project and MDAnalysis.
+
+
+
 ## Project Ideas
 
 If you have your own idea about a potential project we'd love to work with you
@@ -42,7 +69,6 @@ Our experience shows that having the listed skills increases the
 chances that a project will be completed successfully, so we use them
 as part of [our decision criteria in choosing GSoC contributors](https://github.com/MDAnalysis/mdanalysis/wiki/GSoC-Proposal-Review).
 
-This year, MDAnalysis is joining forces with two other open source projects to offer even more far-reaching collaborative projects: [WESTPA]({{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#westpa) and [Molecular Nodes]({{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#molecular-nodes).
 
 | project | name                                                                                                                                                      | difficulty | project size | description                                                                                    | skills                      | mentors                                |
 |---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------------|
@@ -123,10 +149,11 @@ We ask you to submit a short **pre-proposal** so that we can evaluate your under
 
 **We require GSoC applicants to submit a pre-proposal** that will determine who is then invited to [participate in a video interview](#participate-in-a-video-interview-by-invitation) (see below). If you are invited to participate in an interview and ultimately submit a full application, the pre-proposal will help you gather some of the information you will need to include. 
 
-Submit your pre-proposal via [this submission form][submission form] **as soon as possible, but no later than March 9, 2026**. You should prepare the following information for your pre-proposal:
+Submit your pre-proposal via our [pre-proposal submission form][submission form] **as soon as possible, but no later than March 9, 2026**. You should prepare the following information for your pre-proposal:
 * Email address
 * GitHub handle
 * Real name (optional)
+* Certify that you did not use AI tools to develop or produce the pre-proposal.
 * Basic information on your background (e.g., education, relevant experience with MDAnalysis and molecular dynamics or computational physics/chemistry/materials)
 * Project title
 * Project size (90h, 175h, 350h)