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The Linux Foundation · Paid open-source programLFX Mentorship
Work on Linux Foundation / CNCF projects — the infrastructure stack US startups actually run on. Three terms a year (spring, summer, fall), so there is always a deadline coming.
Dates & timeline
Stipend
- Stipend calculated by your region of residence, paid in milestone tranches
- Projects across the Linux Foundation / CNCF ecosystem
- Three 12-week terms per year
Why it's worth your time
LFX Mentorship is the Linux Foundation's structured, paid mentorship across its project ecosystem — Kubernetes and the wider CNCF landscape, Hyperledger, and dozens of other projects that form the infrastructure stack modern startups run on. Each mentorship is a 12-week project with defined milestones, code reviews from maintainers, and a stipend paid in tranches as you hit them.
Three terms run every year (spring, summer, fall), so there is always an application window either open or close. Contributions land in globally used repositories under your own name — for a student aiming at backend or infrastructure roles, few credentials read better than merged PRs in a CNCF project.
How to apply
Browse open mentorships for the next term on the LFX portal.
Prepare a CV and a project-specific cover letter for each one you target.
Apply (you can apply to multiple projects) and complete any prerequisite tasks the project sets.
If selected, work milestone by milestone with the project's mentors.
Frequently asked questions
Is LFX Mentorship paid?
Yes — mentees receive a stipend whose amount is calculated from the region where you live, paid in tranches as you complete milestones.
Can Indian students apply?
Yes. The program is global and fully remote; applicants are evaluated on technical proficiency (Git plus the project's stack) and motivation, not location.
When should I apply for the Fall 2026 term?
The fall term runs September–November, and applications happen in the July–August window — check the LFX portal now for open projects.
Does it cost anything?
No, applying and participating are free.
Official links
US startups hiring on Tierones
Part-time, remote coding internships with funded US startups — quoted in USD per hour, open to verified 2nd- and 3rd-year students. Free for students, always.
Browse open roles