Grants & Scholarships

The LLVM Foundation supports the long-term health of the LLVM Project through education, community building, and connecting students with the broader compiler ecosystem.

Student Travel Grants

Our travel grant program funds undergraduate and graduate students to attend LLVM Developers' Meetings. Grants cover conference tickets, hotel accommodation, flights, and other travel expenses.

Upcoming Grant Round

2026 EuroLLVM Developers' Meeting

Deadline: January 19, 2026

Other Conferences

We can also fund students presenting LLVM-related work at other compiler conferences. Email board@llvm.org with details about your presentation and we'll evaluate your request.

LLVM Developers' Meeting Student Travel Grants FAQ

The LLVM Foundation is committed to diversity and education in the fields of compilers and tools, and to supporting the long-term health and growth of the LLVM Project. As part of this commitment, we offer Student Travel Grants to assist full-time undergraduate and graduate students in attending the LLVM Developers' Meeting.

Eligible expenses typically include conference registration, hotel accommodation ( booked directly by the Foundation), and airfare reimbursement. Please review the FAQ below for detailed information.

Q: When and how can I apply for an LLVM Student Travel Grant?

A: Travel grant applications typically open 3-4 months prior to the event and close approximately 2 months before the conference.

Typical Timeline (for a Fall US Developers' Meeting):

June/July: Travel grant applications open (via Google Form or the conference website).
August: Application deadline.
Late August: Grant award notifications sent.
September: Deadline to accept/decline grants.
October: Conference takes place.

Typical Timeline (for a Spring EuroLLVM Developers' Meeting):

December: Travel grant applications open (via Google Form or the conference website).
January: Application deadline.
Early February: Grant award notifications sent.
Mid February: Deadline to accept/decline grants.
April: Conference takes place.

Q. Who can apply for a student travel grant?

A: All full-time undergraduate and graduate students at an accredited university.

Students from countries embargoed by US sanctions are not eligible including:
- Cuba
- Iran
- North Korea
- Russia
- Syria
- Ukraine (Crimea, Donetsk, or Luhansk regions)

Q: Can I apply if I live in India?

A. Yes!

If you are from India, we can fund you if you have an international bank account (such as in the US, UK, or EU). There have been issues with international wire transfers and PayPal transfers in the past–we want to make sure you can receive funds and avoid issues that may prevent you from receiving your travel reimbursement.

Q: Are there limits to how much funding I may receive?

A: Yes. While there is no single fixed cap for all applicants, awards are limited to specific categories. A typical full grant includes:

Conference Registration: A complimentary student ticket (do not register before receiving your award).
Hotel Accomadation: A hotel room booked and paid for directly by the LLVM Foundation for the duration of the conference.
Travel Reimbursement: Reimbursement for travel expenses to attend Developers’ Meeting.

We ask that applicants estimate their travel costs and document them with screenshots in your application. Funding is limited, and we aim to help as many students as possible.

Q: What kind of costs are covered by the Grant?

Eligible Costs:

Airfare: Economy-class round-trip tickets to the airport nearest the conference venue (e.g., San Jose (SJC) or San Francisco (SFO) for the US meeting).
Ground Transportation: Public transit, shuttle, or ride-share from the airport to the hotel (if included in your specific award letter).
Lodging: Room and tax at the official conference hotel. Note: The LLVM Foundation books this directly for you. You generally do not pay and get reimbursed; instead, the room is provided. A credit card is required for hotel incidentals.
Visa Fees: Documented Visa fees are reimbursed.

Ineligible Costs:

Food: Meals outside of those provided at the conference (breakfast/lunch are usually included with the ticket; dinner is on your own).
Baggage Fees: Checked bag fees are generally not covered unless necessary.
Seat Upgrades: Economy Plus, Business, or First Class upgrades.
Non-conference travel: (e.g., going to dinner or sightseeing).

Q: What if I need help with a US/Euro visitor visa?

A: If you require a visa to attend, please indicate this on your application form and on the event registration website.

Visa Letters: If awarded a grant, you can request a "Visa Invitation Letter" from the LLVM Foundation as part of the registration process.
Timeline: Please apply for your visa immediately. If you are unable to obtain a visa in time, please notify events@llvm.org as soon as possible so your grant can be redistributed to another student.

Q: What if my visa application is denied?

A: Unfortunately the LLVM Foundation has no control regarding visa rejections. We will not be able to fund you. Please let us know as soon as possible so we do not hold a room for you. We can refund visa fees for denied visas. Please email events@llvm.org if this occurs.

Q: Can I be reimbursed for food?

A: No. The LLVM Foundation does not reimburse for per diems, dinners, or outside meals. The conference ticket usually includes snacks, lunch on conference days, as well as evening receptions.

Q: How does hotel accommodation work?

A: Unlike many other conferences, you often do not book your own hotel.

The LLVM Foundation will reserve a room for you at the conference hotel.
A credit card must be provided at hotel check-in for incidental charges.

Q: What if I have a flight receipt larger than my grant amount?

A: The LLVM Foundation makes funding choices based on the estimated flight costs you submit on your application. If the price increases between when you submit your application and booking we do not pay the additional cost.

Q: Should I register for the conference before I find out if my travel grant application has been approved?

A: No. Please do not register for the conference until you receive a decision.

If awarded, you will receive a specific promotional code or link to register for a Student ticket at no cost.
If you register and pay early, refunding that payment to apply the free code creates significant administrative work and may incur processing fees.

Q: How do I receive my travel grant disbursement?

A: Reimbursements are processed after the conference.

Attendance: You must attend the conference to be eligible.
Proof of attendance: Checking into the event will count as your attendance.
Payment Method: Reimbursements are issued via Bill.com.

Note for International Students: in some cases we may use PayPal if you cannot be reimbursed via vill.com
If you are from India, we can fund you if you have an international bank account (such as in the US, UK, or EU). There have been issues with international wire transfers and PayPal transfers in the past–we want to make sure you can receive funds and avoid issues that may prevent you from receiving your travel reimbursement.

Q: What if I don’t come to the meeting?

A: If you do not check in and attend the LLVM Developers' Meeting, you will not receive your grant reimbursement. If the Foundation booked a hotel room for you, please notify events@llvm.org immediately so we can cancel the reservation and avoid "no-show" penalty fees.

Q: What happens if I am selected for a student travel grant?

A: Here’s the sequence of things to complete if selected for a student travel grant:

1. Reply to your acceptance email.

You will be sent a student travel agreement to sign via DocuSign. The student travel agreement is saying you agree to attend the meeting, accept your student travel grant, and register for the conference. Any student who is accepted but does not complete the DocuSign will not receive their complimentary Developers’ Meeting ticket, hotel accommodation, or travel reimbursement.

2. Attend the Developers’ Meeting.

There is an in-person check-in at the conference which is how we document this.

3. Complete the bill.com reimbursement process.

You will receive an email from bill.com 1-2 weeks after the event to complete your reimbursement. Please complete this as soon as you receive it so you are reimbursed.

Q: Who do I contact for more questions?

A: For specific questions regarding travel grants, please contact the event organizers at events@llvm.org.

The LLVM Mentorship Program

Supporting the Next Generation of Compiler Engineers and Researchers

The LLVM Mentorship Program is a community-driven initiative designed to bridge the gap between initial interest in compiler technologies and active, meaningful contribution to the LLVM Project. By pairing experienced developers with newcomers, we bridge the gap between interest and actively contributing to the LLVM Project and the LLVM Community.

Mission

The primary objective of the mentorship program is to integrate students into the broader LLVM Community. We recognize that open-source contribution is not merely in the terminal; it requires navigating social structures, understanding governance, and identifying where one's skills can best be applied.

We strive to empower new faces to feel welcome and capable of contributing to the LLVM Project. We measure success not just through contributions but by the establishment of long-term professional relationships and the confidence of students to participate in roundtables, technical discussions, and future development.

How It Works

The program generally operates in conjunction with major LLVM Developers’ Meetings. It is structured to facilitate interaction before, during, and after the conference events.

Virtual Kickoff: Prior to the Developers’ Meeting, we facilitate a virtual meeting. We’ll pair you together, explain the goals of the program, and provide an open forum to get started.
The Conference Experience: Mentors and mentees attend the Newcomer Reception. This is a great first chance to meet in-person, discuss any workshops you attended, and get a feel for the conference space and location.
Connecting: The core of the program is the hallway track. Mentors guide students through the community, making warm introductions to subproject developers, potential collaborators, and researchers contributing to the LLVM Project.

For Prospective Mentors

Who We Are Looking For

We seek mentors from a diverse range of backgrounds to reflect the multifaceted nature of the LLVM community. Ideal candidates include:

Academic Leaders: Researchers and professors utilizing LLVM in higher education.
Industry Practitioners: Experienced engineers actively contributing to the LLVM Project through their employment.
Community Veterans: Long-time contributors with a deep understanding of the project's history and culture.

Why Become a Mentor?

If you were ever welcomed into LLVM by a guide or colleague, this is your opportunity to offer that same welcome to the next generation.

Talent Scouting: Meet potential collaborators, future interns, or prospective new hires in an organic setting.
Stewardship: Actively shape the future culture of the LLVM Project by instilling best practices and community values in new contributors.
Perspective: Engaging with students often brings fresh ideas and questions that can challenge assumptions that spark new avenues of inquiry.

For Prospective Students

This program is part of our student travel grant program.

Program Benefits

Community Integration: Move beyond the code and meet the people behind the project.
Navigating the Ecosystem: Gain insight into how the project is organized and where your specific skills are most needed.
Career Development: Build connections with leading industry and academic figures who can provide guidance on career trajectories within the field of system software.

Join Us

Whether you are an industry veteran ready to pay it forward, or a student ready to take your first steps into the LLVM community, your participation is vital.

2026 EuroLLVM Developers’ Meeting Mentor Application

2026 EuroLLVM Developers’ Meeting Student Travel Grant Application