The Apache Incubator
The Apache Incubator provides services to projects seeking to enter the Apache Software Foundation (ASF).
It helps those incoming projects (called "podlings") adopt the Apache style of governance and operation, and it guides them to services and resources they can use to become top-level ASF projects ("TLPs").
The Incubator delegates mentors to each podling. Mentors act as liaisons between podlings and various ASF teams, such as the Incubator PMC and the Infrastructure team, to facilitate podlings' operations and ongoing growth.
Responsibilities
The Incubator has the following responsibilities:
-
Welcoming new podlings to become part of the Apache Software Foundation (ASF).
-
Guiding podlings to govern and grow their communities according to the Apache Way, the ASF’s philosophy and guidelines for collaborative development.
-
Reporting monthly to the board on the progress of podlings.
-
Recommending to the ASF Board podlings that should graduate from Apache Incubator and become top-level projects.
-
Retiring podlings when needed.
-
Accepting IP donations.
Getting Started
To get started with the Apache Incubator:
-
Read the cookbook, which helps potential podlings decide whether the ASF is a good fit for them and guides them through the steps required to become an ASF podling.
-
Review the Incubation Policy, which outlines rules for participation
-
Submit a proposal for your project to join the Incubator
Useful Resources
For advice on applying to—and ultimately graduating from—Apache Incubator, review any of the following presentations.
-
A keynote on The Apache Way by Rich Bowen at MesosCon Europe in 2017, which offers insights into both the ASF’s values and its operations.
-
"How to get your release through the Incubator", presented at ApacheCon North America 2017, for guidance on releases.
-
A more general talk on Effective open source management by Shane Curcuru, from ApacheCon North America 2017.
-
John D. Ament’s "Navigating the Incubator Trenches", from ApacheCon North America 2017, for details on how to graduate from the Incubator and become a successful TLP
-
"Apache Incubator: the gateway into the Apache Way" by Roman Shaposhnik and Suresh Marru at ApacheCon North America 2014.
-
"Life In The Apache Incubator", in which former Incubator PMC chair Jukka Zitting presents the Incubator, from ApacheCon Europe 2012.
Incubator History
In October 2002, the Board of Directors of the Apache Software Foundation passed a resolution to establish the Apache Incubator PMC. It directed the ASF to:
…establish a Project Management Committee charged with accepting new products into the Foundation, providing guidance and support to help each new product engender their own collaborative community, educating new developers in the philosophy and guidelines for collaborative development as defined by the members of the Foundation, and proposing to the board the promotion of such products to independent PMC status once their community has reached maturity.
October 16th 2002
See the October 2002 Board report for the complete resolution.
As of April, 2023, the Incubator has assisted 335 podlings, 239 of which have graduated from the program. More than 300 mentors have guided and supported podlings. The Incubator supports between 25 and 50 podlings at any given time. Project incubation typically takes 1 1/2 years.
About The Apache Software Foundation
The Apache Software Foundation provides organizational, legal, and financial support for a broad range of open source software projects.
The Foundation provides an established framework for intellectual property and financial contributions that simultaneously limits potential legal exposure for the contributors.
Through a collaborative and meritocratic development process known as "the Apache Way," Apache projects deliver enterprise-grade, freely available software products that attract large communities of users.
The pragmatic and business-friendly Apache License makes deploying Apache products easier for all users, both commercial and individual. Learn more about the ASF as a whole, or engage with the Apache Community Development project with your general questions about the ASF.