> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://resources.devweekends.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# LFX Mentorship (Linux Foundation)

> Complete guide to the Linux Foundation Mentorship program — multiple cohorts per year, cloud-native projects, and paid stipends

<Info>
  **TL;DR** — LFX Mentorship runs **year-round** with three 12-week cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall). You work on Linux Foundation projects like Kubernetes, Prometheus, Envoy, and more. Stipends range from $3,000–$6,600 depending on your country.
</Info>

## What is LFX Mentorship?

The Linux Foundation Mentorship program (hosted on the [LFX platform](https://mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org/)) connects developers with **cloud-native and infrastructure** open-source projects. Unlike GSoC which runs once a year, LFX has **multiple cohorts** throughout the year, giving you more chances to get in.

Projects span the CNCF (Cloud Native Computing Foundation) ecosystem and beyond:

* **Kubernetes**, **Istio**, **Envoy Proxy**
* **Prometheus**, **Grafana**, **OpenTelemetry**
* **Argo**, **Flux**, **Helm**
* **Linux Kernel**, **RISC-V**, **Zephyr RTOS**
* And many more LF-hosted projects

## Who Can Apply?

You're eligible if you:

* Are **18 years or older** by the program start date
* Are **eligible to work** in your country of residence
* Have **not** been a prior or currently active participant in another LFX mentorship program
* Are **not** a maintainer or recurring contributor to the project you're applying for
* Can commit to the program's time requirements without conflicting obligations

<Warning>
  You can apply to a **maximum of 3 mentorship programs per term**. Choose wisely.
</Warning>

## Program Structure

| Aspect           | Details                                     |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Duration         | 12 weeks per cohort                         |
| Cohorts per year | 3 (Spring, Summer, Fall)                    |
| Format           | Fully remote                                |
| Time commitment  | \~20–30 hours/week                          |
| Mentorship       | 1-on-1 with project maintainers             |
| Outcome          | Real merged contributions to major projects |

### Typical Annual Schedule

| Term            | Application Window | Coding Period        |
| --------------- | ------------------ | -------------------- |
| Spring (Term 1) | January – February | March – May          |
| Summer (Term 2) | April – May        | June – August        |
| Fall (Term 3)   | August – September | September – November |

<Tip>
  Check the [official timeline page](https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentorship-program-timelines) for exact dates each year.
</Tip>

## Stipends

Stipends are calculated using **Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)** based on your country of residence. The base amount is \$6,000 USD.

| Range      | Amount      |
| ---------- | ----------- |
| Minimum    | \$3,000 USD |
| Base (USA) | \$6,000 USD |
| Maximum    | \$6,600 USD |

**Payment schedule**: Paid in **two installments** — halfway through the program and upon successful completion.

<Note>
  International wire transfers can take up to **6 weeks** to reach your account after approval.
</Note>

## Step-by-Step: How to Apply

### 1. Create Your Profile

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign up on the LFX platform">
    Go to [mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org](https://mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org/) and create an account or sign in with your existing Linux Foundation ID.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete your profile">
    Add your skills, experience, GitHub profile, resume, and any relevant links. A complete profile increases your chances.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 2. Find a Program

<Steps>
  <Step title="Browse available mentorships">
    Click on **Mentorships** and filter by the **Accepting Applications** tab to see currently open programs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Research the project">
    Read the project description, required skills, and expected deliverables carefully. Check the project's GitHub repo.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Understand the prerequisites">
    Some projects require specific skills (e.g., Go, Kubernetes knowledge, Linux kernel development). Make sure you meet them.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 3. Submit Your Application

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Apply">
    On your chosen program's page, click **Apply**. Review the program details and select your desired term.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write your cover letter">
    Explain why you're interested, what relevant experience you have, and how you plan to approach the project.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fulfill prerequisites">
    Some programs require completing specific tasks — coding challenges, documentation reviews, or small contributions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit prerequisite documents">
    Upload any required documents as assigned by the project admin.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What Makes a Strong Application?

1. **Prior contributions to the project** — Even a small bugfix or doc improvement shows commitment. The most successful applicants have at least one merged PR before applying. This is not technically required, but mentors strongly prefer candidates who have already demonstrated they can navigate the codebase.
2. **Relevant technical skills with evidence** — If the project is in Go, show Go experience in your profile with links to specific repos or PRs. Generic claims like "proficient in Go" without proof are ignored. If you lack experience in the project's language, start a small side project in it two months before applying.
3. **Clear, specific motivation** — "I want to learn Kubernetes" is weak. "I want to understand how the Kubernetes scheduler handles node affinity constraints because I encountered this gap while deploying services at my university's cluster" is strong. Specificity signals genuine interest.
4. **Realistic availability with a concrete schedule** — Be honest about your time commitments. Mentors appreciate candidates who say "I have exams in week 4-5 and can only commit 10 hours those weeks" over candidates who promise 40 hours/week but disappear.
5. **Strong GitHub profile with good engineering habits** — Active contributions, clean code, meaningful commit messages, and PRs that include tests. Mentors will review your GitHub before reading your cover letter.

## Why LFX Over GSoC?

| Factor           | LFX                           | GSoC                    |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Cohorts per year | 3                             | 1                       |
| Focus area       | Cloud-native / infrastructure | Broad (any open-source) |
| Organizations    | Linux Foundation ecosystem    | 185+ diverse orgs       |
| Max applications | 3 per term                    | 3 total                 |
| Stipend range    | $3,000 – $6,600               | $750 – $6,600           |
| Recognition      | LF certificate + networking   | Google certificate      |

<Tip>
  LFX is particularly valuable if you're interested in **cloud-native technologies** — many LFX alumni end up working at companies like Google, Red Hat, VMware, and other CNCF member companies.
</Tip>

## After Acceptance

1. **Onboarding**: Set up development environment, get access to project repos and communication channels
2. **Weekly check-ins**: Regular meetings with your mentor to discuss progress
3. **Mid-program evaluation**: Mentor evaluates your progress — passing triggers the first stipend payment
4. **Final evaluation**: Submit your final work — passing triggers the second stipend payment
5. **Expensify report**: Submit an expense report through Expensify to receive your stipend

## Resources

| Resource                                 | Link                                                                                                                                                 |
| ---------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| LFX Mentorship Portal                    | [mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org](https://mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org/)                                                                    |
| Mentee Guide                             | [docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentee-guide](https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentee-guide)                                 |
| Program Timelines                        | [docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentorship-program-timelines](https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentorship-program-timelines) |
| Stipend Details                          | [docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentee-stipends](https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentee-stipends)                           |
| How to Apply                             | [docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentees/apply-to-a-project](https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentees/apply-to-a-project)     |
| 265+ Accepted Proposals (GSoC, LFX, SoB) | [github.com/devweekends/open-source-proposals](https://github.com/devweekends/open-source-proposals)                                                 |

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I apply if I already did GSoC?">
    Yes. LFX and GSoC are completely separate programs. Having done GSoC does not disqualify you.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I apply to multiple LFX programs?">
    Yes, up to 3 per term. But you can only participate in one at a time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need Kubernetes experience for all projects?">
    No. While many projects are in the CNCF ecosystem, there are projects in various domains including documentation, security, and developer tooling. Check each project's requirements individually.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if my mentor is unresponsive?">
    Contact the LFX program administrators. They can reassign mentors or help resolve communication issues.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is LFX only for students?">
    No. It's open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, regardless of student status.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>