Accelerating Real-World Impact Through Open Collaboration
The Metaverse Standards Forum Labs Initiative is a key step in turning shared vision into shared implementation. By connecting capable organizations through real-world collaboration, the Metaverse Standards Forum is helping to make open interoperability a reality. The Labs Initiative empowers leading organizations to openly collaborate on high-impact, real-world projects that advance open interoperability across the metaverse ecosystem.
Designated Forum Principal Labs are organizations with the expertise, infrastructure, and commitment to support Collaborative Projects that bridge standards development with practical deployment. These labs work directly with Forum Working Groups to explore use cases, validate interoperability, and generate open, actionable results.
Why Forum Principal Labs Matter
As the metaverse continues to evolve, it’s essential that emerging standards are grounded in real-world experience. The Forum Labs Initiative helps ensure that:
- Pre-standardization efforts are guided by real-world requirements and operational insights
- Post-standardization testing validates interoperability in live environments
- Outcomes are open and shareable, accelerating adoption and reducing fragmentation
Becoming a Forum Principal Lab
Designation as a Forum Principal Lab is available to Principal Members of the Metaverse Standards Forum that possess lab capabilities and a commitment to collaborative, standards-aligned work.
The designation process includes:
- Submission of an Application Form
A legal entity completes a brief form outlining its facilities, technical focus, and interest in Collaborative Projects. - Eligibility Review
The Forum evaluates the applicant’s capabilities, alignment with program goals, and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the ecosystem. - Designation and Activation
Once approved, the organization is formally designated as a Forum Principal Lab and may begin engaging in Collaborative Projects.
To initiate the process, complete the Expression of Interest Form.
What Are Typical Collaborative Projects?
Examples of Collaborative Projects include:
- Defining and testing use cases and technical requirements
- Running interoperability testbeds and plugfests
- Co-hosting webinars, workshops, and symposia
- Collaborating on grant-funded R&D proposals
- Developing and validating open tooling and resources
Projects may be proposed by Forum Principal Labs, Working Groups, or jointly — and are designed to generate measurable, ecosystem-wide benefits.
Have an Idea for a Collaborative Project?
We invite all Principal members to participate in Forum Lab Collaborative Projects. Principal members are allowed to review and suggest projects for Forum Labs. If your organization is a Principal member and would like more information on how to get involved, contact forum_labs_reviewers-chair@lists.metaverse-standards.org.
For more information becoming a Principal member, see our Membership page.
Collaborative Project Sponsorship
Sponsor benefits:
- Open collaboration with metaverse ecosystem leaders from wide range of viewpoints
- Gain first-mover advantage from having a front-row position in project progress
- Increase experience in solving emerging project challenges, interoperability barriers and project results
- By having sponsors’ branding on project deliverables, web page, video and webinars, demonstrate industry leadership for building a strong and interoperable ecosystem
If you or your company would like to sponsor a project, or would like to fund a project of your own, contact us!
Privileges of a Forum Principal Lab
Once designated, Forum Principal Labs gain access to a unique set of privileges that support leadership, visibility, and real-world impact:
- Propose and co-lead Collaborative Projects with Forum Working Groups
- Participate in testing and validation of emerging standards and interoperability requirements
- Host or contribute to plugfests, testbeds, and experimentation environments
- Co-develop open-source tools, validation frameworks, and reference implementations
- Collaborate on joint research or grant-funded initiatives with Forum members
- Showcase lab capabilities and thought leadership within the Forum community
- Use the official Forum Principal Lab designation and badge in communications
- Be publicly recognized on the Forum’s website and in related materials
All Collaborative Projects are governed by transparent agreements that define roles, deliverables, and participation terms — with a strong emphasis on publicly available outcomes that benefit the open metaverse.
Ready to Become a Forum Principal Lab?
If your organization has the capabilities and commitment to support practical, open collaboration, we invite you to explore becoming a Forum Principal Lab.
Begin by completing the Expression of Interest Form or contact us.
Advancing Standards Through Action
The Forum Labs Initiative is a key step in turning shared vision into shared implementation. By connecting capable organizations through real-world collaboration, the Metaverse Standards Forum is helping to make open interoperability a reality.