Strengthening LFX Mentoring: A Fairer Stipend Model and a Shared Standard of Excellence
This post was originally published on the Linux Foundation blog.
Two updates that help our growing mentorship community do its best work.
LFX Mentoring has grown into one of the largest open source mentorship programs in the world, connecting new contributors with experienced maintainers across hundreds of projects every year. As the program scales, we're making two updates that keep it fair, sustainable and welcoming for everyone.
A more equitable stipend model
Mentee stipends are calculated using a formula based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP): we start from a $6,000 USD baseline and adjust for each mentee's country, so a stipend’s real-world value is comparable wherever a mentee lives. We review these amounts periodically to keep them aligned with industry standards and economic conditions.
For programs that start on or after July 1, 2026, we've refreshed the schedule. We keep PPP and the $6,600 maximum, and we've lowered the minimum to $1,000 so that stipends more closely reflect industry standards. This lets us reinvest in the program and extend mentorship to more people each term.
These updates apply only to future programs. If you've already been accepted into a program that starts before July 1, 2026, you'll continue to receive the amount listed in your acceptance letter. Full country-by-country amounts are published in the mentee stipend documentation.
A shared Standard of Excellence
We're also publishing the Linux Foundation Mentoring Standards of Excellence: a clear statement of the collaborative, respectful, and professional behavior we encourage from every mentor, mentee, and candidate.
The Standards highlight what makes mentorship work: supporting one another, giving constructive feedback, communicating with respect, and accepting evaluations and selection decisions gracefully. They also explain how to raise concerns through the right channels. The goal is simple: every participant has a positive, productive experience and the clarity to do their best work.
Learn more
Explore open mentorships and apply at LFX Mentorship.
