To be eligible for the Linux Kernel Mentorship Program (LKMP), you must be at least 18 when the mentorship begins, be eligible to work in your country of residence for the program’s duration, and not have participated in an earlier LKMP. The Linux Foundation expects proficiency in C and shell; prior kernel-development experience is desirable, but not required. Check the active LFX Mentorship project listing for any additional project-specific instructions.
Who is eligible for LKMP?
The Linux Foundation’s general eligibility guidance sets out three conditions:
- Age: You must be at least 18 when the mentorship starts.
- Work eligibility: You must be eligible to work in the country where you reside for the full duration of the mentorship. The guidance does not give one definition that applies across all countries.
- Previous participation: People who have participated in a previous LKMP are listed as ineligible.
These are the program’s general published rules. The eligibility page was last modified in 2023, so consult the current LFX Mentorship listing for the instructions attached to a particular project or cohort. Linux Foundation LKMP eligibility guidance · LFX Mentorship program overview.
Do you need Linux kernel experience?
No. The guidance describes kernel-development experience as desirable, not required. It does expect applicants to be proficient in C and shell, so the absence of a kernel contribution does not mean that no programming or Linux knowledge is needed.
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Students and people seeking professional advancement are both welcome to apply. Meeting the general conditions does not guarantee selection: use the live project listing to identify the work and any application instructions for the opportunity you want.
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The Linux Foundation’s eligibility guidance recommends different weekly commitments for full-time and part-time participants. These are recommendations, not additional universal eligibility tests.
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| Participation | Recommended time | Concurrent school or work |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | Approximately 40 hours per week, according to the Linux Foundation’s eligibility guidance, last modified in 2023. | The guidance recommends avoiding school or work commitments during the program. |
| Part-time | Approximately 20 hours per week, according to the Linux Foundation’s eligibility guidance, last modified in 2023. | The guidance recommends having no more than part-time class or work commitments. |
What to check before applying
- Confirm that you will be 18 or older when the mentorship begins.
- Make sure you are eligible to work where you reside for the program’s full duration.
- Confirm that you have not participated in a previous LKMP.
- Assess whether your C and shell skills are strong enough for the project; kernel experience is helpful but not a prerequisite under the general guidance.
- Review the current LFX Mentorship listing for the project’s application instructions and any additional conditions.
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