Learn directly from industry experts, contribute to real-world Linux projects, and become part of the global open-source ecosystem.
The Linux Foundation Mentorship Program bridges the gap between learning and real-world open source contribution by connecting aspiring developers with experienced industry mentors.
Work on production-grade open source projects used by millions worldwide, gaining hands-on experience that truly matters.
Learn directly from Linux Foundation contributors and industry experts through structured guidance and regular feedback.
Build a strong open source portfolio, improve collaboration skills, and gain recognition within the global Linux ecosystem.
Each mentorship track is designed to provide deep, hands-on experience in critical open-source domains backed by the Linux Foundation ecosystem.
Work closely with kernel maintainers and learn low-level system programming, memory management, and performance optimization.
Build and deploy scalable systems using containers, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and modern cloud-native technologies.
Learn secure system design, vulnerability analysis, and open-source security practices used in enterprise environments.
Explore modern networking stacks, protocols, and software-defined networking in real Linux-based infrastructure.
Develop Linux-powered embedded systems for IoT devices, edge computing, and hardware-level integrations.
Contribute to essential open-source tools, improving developer workflows, automation, and collaboration.
The Linux Foundation Mentorship Program is open to passionate learners who are eager to contribute to open source and grow through real-world collaboration.
Open to students, graduates, and early-career professionals from technical or related disciplines.
Familiarity with Linux, Git, and at least one programming language such as C, Python, or JavaScript.
A strong desire to learn, accept feedback, and collaborate in a global open-source community.
Ability to dedicate consistent weekly hours throughout the program duration to tasks and mentor interactions.
Our mentorship model is designed to provide consistent guidance, real-world exposure, and meaningful feedback throughout your journey in open source.
Participants are matched with experienced mentors based on skills, interests, and chosen program tracks.
Regular one-on-one sessions to review progress, clarify concepts, and receive personalized guidance.
Learn industry-standard practices through structured code reviews and collaborative feedback.
Participate in open-source discussions, mailing lists, and community calls within the Linux ecosystem.
By the end of the Linux Foundation Mentorship Program, participants graduate with real-world skills, open-source experience, and industry-ready confidence.
Contribute meaningful code to real Linux Foundation projects and collaborate with global open-source communities.
Build a public portfolio with documented contributions, pull requests, and issue tracking experience.
Learn professional workflows including version control, code reviews, testing, and release management.
Work effectively in distributed teams while improving technical communication and problem-solving skills.
Receive official recognition for successful completion and become part of the Linux Foundation contributor network.
Gain the confidence and credibility needed to pursue roles in open source, DevOps, cloud, and systems engineering.
Follow these simple steps to submit your application and start your mentorship journey with the Linux Foundation.
Sign up on our portal and complete your profile with your education, skills, and experience.
Select your preferred program track based on your interests and goals, such as Linux Kernel, DevOps, or Cloud Infrastructure.
Fill out the application form and provide relevant details about your past contributions or projects.
After review, you will be matched with a mentor and notified of your acceptance.
Begin working on real-world projects under the guidance of your mentor and join the global open-source community.