fix links and make timeline clearer

Author: orbeckst

_posts/2026-02-19-gsoc2026.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-—
+---
 layout: post
 title: Google Summer of Code 2026
-—
+---
 
 <p>
 <img
@@ -60,12 +60,14 @@ Contributor with MDAnalysis this year (read all the docs behind these
 links!) and read the points below for the application process. You must also meet the [GSoC eligibility criteria][eligibility criteria]. [Our GSoC FAQ][GSoC FAQ] collects common questions from applicants.
 
 In short:
-1. Agree to be bound by our [Code of Conduct](#code-of-conduct (and [WESTPA's Code of Conduct](https://github.com/westpa/westpa/wiki/Code-of-Conduct) if you are applying for a WESTPA collaboration project [i.e., [Project 5]({{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#project-5-dashboard-for-tracking-westpa-simulation-progress), [Project 6]({{ site.github.wiki}}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#project-6-interface-for-post-analysis-analysis-crawling-of-westpa-simulations)]).
-2. Agree to be bound by our [AI policy](https://github.com/MDAnalysis/mdanalysis/blob/develop/AI_POLICY.md) (and [WESTPA’s](https://github.com/westpa/westpa/blob/westpa2/AI_POLICY.md) or Molecular Node’s if you are applying for a collaboration project.
+1. Agree to be bound by our [Code of Conduct](#code-of-conduct) (and the [WESTPA Code of Conduct](https://github.com/westpa/westpa/wiki/Code-of-Conduct) if you are applying for a WESTPA collaboration project [i.e., [Project 5]({{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#project-5-dashboard-for-tracking-westpa-simulation-progress), [Project 6]({{ site.github.wiki}}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#project-6-interface-for-post-analysis-analysis-crawling-of-westpa-simulations)]).
+2. Agree to be bound by our [AI policy](https://github.com/MDAnalysis/mdanalysis/blob/develop/AI_POLICY.md) (and [WESTPA's AI policy](https://github.com/westpa/westpa/blob/westpa2/AI_POLICY.md) or Molecular Node’s AI policy if you are applying for a collaboration project).
 3. Engage with the MDAnalysis community through [code/documentation contributions](#interactions-and-engagement-with-mdanalysis) and discussions
 4. [Familiarize yourself with MDAnalysis and relevant partner projects](#familiarize-yourself-with-mdanalysis-and-relevant-partner-projects);
-5. [Submit a short pre-proposal](#submit-a-pre-proposal) as soon as possible, but no later than March 9, 2026.
-6. **If you have been invited to proceed with your application (based on your pre-proposal)** [participate in a video interview](#participate-in-a-video-interview-by-invitation) with developers of MDAnalysis and/or one of the partner organizations.
+5. Submit a short **[pre-proposal](#submit-a-pre-proposal)** as soon as possible, but no later than March 9, 2026.
+6. Participate in a **[video interview](#participate-in-a-video-interview-by-invitation)** with developers of MDAnalysis and/or one of the partner organizations. You will be **invited for interview based on your pre-proposal**. 
+7. Submit your full **[GSoC proposal](#submit-full-proposal-by-invitation)**. You will be **invited to submit your proposal based on your video interview**.
+
 
 ### Code of Conduct
 
@@ -105,10 +107,10 @@ As some of the [project ideas][ideas] represent collaboration between MDAnalysis
 
 ### Interactions and engagement with MDAnalysis
 
-GSoC contributors with MDAnalysis should demonstrate that they have been seriously engaged with the MDAnalysis project (and/or with a relevant [partner software project]({{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#collaborations). Submitting a pull request is a great way to know you as a good candidate. As is relevant to the GSoC project idea you are interested in, you should submit your PR in one of the following repositories:
-* MDAnalysis organization (https://github.com/MDAnalysis/)
-* WESTPA organization (https://github.com/westpa/westpa/)
-* Molecular Nodes repository (https://github.com/BradyAJohnston/MolecularNodes)
+GSoC contributors with MDAnalysis should demonstrate that they have been seriously engaged with the MDAnalysis project (and/or with a relevant [partner software project]({{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas#collaborations)). Submitting a pull request is a great way to know you as a good candidate. As is relevant to the GSoC project idea you are interested in, you should submit your PR in one of the following repositories:
+* MDAnalysis organization:  [github.com/MDAnalysis/](https://github.com/MDAnalysis/)
+* WESTPA organization: [github.com/westpa/westpa](https://github.com/westpa/westpa/)
+* Molecular Nodes repository: [github.com/BradyAJohnston/MolecularNodes](https://github.com/BradyAJohnston/MolecularNodes)
 
 We have a list of [easy bugs] and suggested [GSOC Starter issues] to work on in our issue tracker on GitHub. If you want to dive deeper, we encourage you to tackle some of the other issues in our issue tracker or create a new one. We also appreciate contributions which add more tests or update/improve our documentation. Note that some of the [GSoC 2026 Project Ideas][ideas] include related issues that you might want to explore.
 
@@ -153,13 +155,14 @@ Feel free to ask any questions on the [discussion forum]. We are also happy to c
 
 We look forward to working with you in GSoC 2026!
 
-— [MDAnalysis GSoC mentors and organization administrators]({{ site.github.wiki }}/Google-Summer-Of-Code#available-mentors) (GitHub [@MDAnalysis/gsoc-mentors], Discord `@gsoc-mentor`)
+— [MDAnalysis GSoC mentors and organization administrators]({{ site.github.wiki }}/Google-Summer-Of-Code#available-mentors) (GitHub `@MDAnalysis/gsoc-mentors`, Discord `@gsoc-mentor`)
 
 [org]: https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/programs/2026/organizations/mdanalysis
 [gsoc]: https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/
 [discussion forum]: {{ site.mailinglists.gsoc.url }}
 [ideas]: {{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-2026-Project-Ideas
 [own requirements]: {{ site.github.wiki }}/Google-Summer-Of-Code#our-expectations-from-gsoc-contributors
+[eligibility criteria]: https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/faq#what_are_the_eligibility_requirements_for_participation
 [GSoC FAQ]: {{ site.github.wiki }}/GSoC-FAQ
 [Code of Conduct]: {{ site.baseurl }}/conduct
 [installing]: https://userguide.mdanalysis.org/stable/installation.html