ETC Opens Applications for 2026 Fred Foster Student Mentorship Program

ETC has officially opened applications for the 2026 Fred Foster Student Mentorship Program. Selected students will get the chance to network with industry professionals through a series of online events. Each student will also get paired with at least one mentor who will help guide their transition into the working world. Applications for the 2026 program are open through Friday, April 10, 2026. 

ETC Founder Fred Foster long championed the importance of mentorship in our industry. His passion for bringing up the next generation of lighting professionals led him to start ETC’s Student Mentorship Program in 1999. Through this initiative, Fred leveraged ETC’s resources to help young lighting talent make lasting connections in the industry. 

Decades later, ETC carries on the tradition through a curated series of online events. Selected students will attend virtual networking events during the summer, meeting a variety of professionals working in different specialties within the industry. By the end of summer, each student is matched with an industry mentor who will provide career guidance for the next year and often beyond.

Program activities are scheduled in North American time zones, however students residing in any region are welcome to apply. Applications are open to North American students in their final year of undergraduate study or second- and third-year graduate students. For students outside of North America, ETC requires they are studying at the university level or demonstrate a keen interest in lighting and design through the submission of a CV. 

“Participating in the program has been an invaluable experience. I had the privilege of meeting so many talented lighting folks from every aspect of live entertainment and from every corner of the country,” says Essie Claire Winston, a 2025 mentee. “Everyone I encountered was so willing to share their experiences and knowledge. It was a true testament to the joy and commitment of the lighting community!”

Applications are due by April 10, 2026. To submit your application and learn more about the Fred Foster Student Mentorship Program, please visit www.etcconnect.com/studentmentorship