Application Steps

Step 1: Review eligibility

The LF Networking Mentorship Program is aimed at providing a structured and guided learning opportunity for students interested in becoming open source contributors to the LF Networking project communities. We welcome students enrolled in accredited higher education institutions (undergraduate or graduate programs) across the globe to apply (some restrictions may apply). Additional eligibility requirements are defined by the LFX Mentorship Platform, which is the authoritative source for program eligibility.

• Be at least 18 years old by the time the mentorship program starts.

• Not be a prior or an active participant in another Linux Foundation mentorship program.

• Apply to a maximum of three (3) mentorship programs in one term. The programs from which a mentee withdraws during the application period don't count toward this limit.

• Be eligible to work in the country and jurisdiction where you will participate in the mentorship program.

• Not reside in a country or jurisdiction where participation in the mentorship is prohibited under applicable U.S. federal, state, or local laws or the laws of other countries.

• Apply to participate on one's own behalf as an individual.

• Not be subject to any existing obligations to third parties (such as contractual obligations to an employer) that would restrict or prohibit participation in a mentorship program.

• Meet all criteria set by the program to which a mentee applies, i.e. all prerequisites and requirements.

• Not be a maintainer, recurring contributor, etc. with more than minimal involvement with the open source project that offers a mentorship program.

Step 2: Discover projects

Carefully review the LFN mentorship projects that are open for applications and identify which project(s) you're interested in. Note that some projects are funded (mentees receive a stipend) while others are unpaid (no stipend, but the same structured mentorship experience). Each project listing will indicate whether it is funded or unpaid.

• Ask yourself which projects you are the most excited or curious about exploring. The project descriptions, learning objectives and outcomes, and any additional information or links on the project page may give you some insight.

• Ask yourself which projects are a better fit for your profile. Be sure to read about the educational level and skills required or desired to evaluate your qualifications.

• Some mentorships require full-time commitment (40 hours a week for 12 consecutive weeks) or part-time commitment (20 hours a week for 24 consecutive weeks). Ensure the program timeline and schedule fit into your summer and school schedule.

Each applicant may apply for multiple but no more than three projects. We recommend you focus your effort on 2 projects and submit a quality application for those. Applicants may only participate in 1 Linux Foundation Mentorship. If you are accepted for a mentorship, please make sure to withdraw your application from all other Linux Foundation mentorship programs.

Step 3: Prepare application materials

The LFX Mentorship Platform will collect standard demographic and contact information as part of your application. You should also prepare the following materials:

• Resume

• Cover letter addressing the following questions:

  • How did you find out about our program?

  • Why are you interested in the project(s) you're applying to?

  • What experience and knowledge/skills do you have that are applicable to the requirements of the project(s) you're applying to?

  • What do you hope to get out of this experience?

• Proof of enrollment (college transcript, a scan of student ID, or a letter of admissions offer for those who are graduating from high school)

Remember, your cover letter should demonstrate that you're qualified and passionate about becoming an active contributor and future leader in the LF Networking open source communities through this experience.

Step 4: Create your profile and apply on the LFX Mentorship Platform

The LFX Mentorship Platform is where LFN mentorship projects are listed and where all mentee applications are submitted and managed.

• Go to the LFX Mentorship Platform

• Create your mentee profile (you will need to create an LFID first if you don't already have one)

• Find the LFN mentorship project(s) you are interested in and submit your application through the platform

• See the LFX Mentorship documentation for detailed instructions on creating a mentee profile and applying to programs

Step 5: Contact mentor(s) (recommended)

We encourage you to reach out to the mentor(s) for the projects you are interested in to learn more and clarify any unclear information.

• You may be able to discover more about the desirable background and skills the mentor(s) are looking for in a mentee.

• We have learned that the best applications are often from students who took the time to interact and discuss their ideas with the mentors before submitting an application.

• You can reach mentors via the contact information on their project proposal page, or through the LFN Zulip instance (sign in with your LFID).

• Be thoughtful with your questions, as our mentors may receive many questions from interested applicants.

• Due to the volume of applications, you may not receive a reply until the application period ends. Please be patient and review the program timeline.

After You're Selected

If you are selected as a mentee, here is what to expect:

• Onboarding: @Casey Cain and the Linux Foundation will coordinate your HR contracting paperwork and onboarding.

• Working with your mentor: You will work closely with your mentor(s) throughout the program. Regular check-ins and communication are expected. You and your mentor should develop a project plan by the end of week 2.

• Evaluations: Depending on whether you are full-time or part-time, you will go through midterm and final evaluations. See the Program Timeline for the evaluation schedule.

• Stipend (funded mentorships only): For funded mentorships, your stipend will be paid in two installments. The midterm stipend is paid after a satisfactory midterm evaluation. The final stipend is paid upon successful project completion as confirmed by your mentor(s) and program staff. See Mentee Stipends for details on the tiered stipend structure. Mentorships labeled as "Unpaid" do not include a stipend.

• Community participation: You are encouraged to participate in project meetings, mailing lists, and the LFN Zulip community throughout your mentorship.

Questions?

For questions about the LFN Mentorship Program or to follow up on an existing project proposal, please email mentorship@lfnetworking.org.

Please note that this email is not for requesting a mentorship on a topic that has not been proposed as a project. You may only apply to projects listed on the Mentorship Projects page through the LFX Mentorship Platform.