ICANN Resources Available to Prepare Applicant Support CandidatesKristy Buckley

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is launching the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: Next Round in 2026. The next round of the program is meant to expand the Domain Name System via gTLDs that reflect new communities, geographies, and voices and provide new domain name registries with opportunities to innovate and compete, giving consumers more choice.

To realize this vision and foster greater functional, geographic, and cultural diversity of the Internet, ICANN developed the Applicant Support Program (ASP). The ASP makes applying for a gTLD more accessible to nonprofits, indigenous peoples' organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and small businesses that are interested in applying for a gTLD but need capacity development and financial support to do so.

I am happy to announce that the ASP is still anticipated to open on 19 November 2024. This timing, almost 18 months before the Next Round opens, ensures applicants who qualify for support have sufficient time to make full use of the assistance provided while preparing their application. Note that even if the applicant does not qualify for support, they are still eligible to apply for a new gTLD but will have to pay the full fee.

As we near the opening of the ASP application submission period, we continue to achieve important milestones. On 24 October 2024, the ICANN Board of Directors approved the ASP Handbook, a comprehensive guide to applying for assistance through the ASP.

ICANN also has created informational materials and resources for applicants to help them determine if their organization is eligible for support and to consider whether to apply. The process of applying for a gTLD is much more complex than registering a domain name, which any individual or organization can do. Applying for a gTLD means that you are applying to operate an Internet registry that plays a key role in the Internet ecosystem.

The ASP Applicant Quick Start Guide is the best place to start considering these questions. It provides links to two important applicant resources:

• The ASP Checklist, which provides detailed information about completing the application, including identifying the documentation that's required at each step of the process;
• The ASP Application System Applicant User Guide, a user manual for the online system through which applicants will submit their ASP applications.

We trust these materials will empower potential applicants to make informed decisions about applying for a gTLD and to consider all that is entailed in the process of applying for and operating a gTLD.