As the launch of the new gTLDs (“New gTLD Program: Next Round”) approaches, expected in April 2026, ICANN has introduced a platform called the Applicant Support Program (ASP), designed to broaden participation to actors who have so far been marginalized: small businesses, non-profit organizations, and indigenous communities among them. Indeed, submitting a gTLD application remains a complex, resource-intensive, and costly endeavour, often out of reach for NGOs, local initiatives, or small public-interest entities. To narrow this gap, ICANN is promoting a financial and technical support mechanism for applicants who would otherwise have no realistic means of entering the process.

Introduction

This article outlines the key features of the Applicant Support Program (ASP): who can benefit from it, under what conditions, and what level of concrete assistance it provides. It examines the costs, eligibility criteria, and timeline, as well as the program’s limitations, especially for more ambitious projects. Finally, it offers strategic insights for prospective applicants wishing to align their future gTLD project with their mission, brand, and available resources.

1. Making gTLD Applications More Accessible

Clarifying the costs. In the 2012 round, ICANN’s evaluation fee was set at USD 185,000 per application[1]. For the 2026 round, the Draft Applicant Guidebook now sets the fee at USD 227,000[2], subject to adjustment following the ongoing public consultation process.

Context and objectives. The Applicant Support Program reflects the inclusive philosophy underpinning the next opening of generic top-level domains. Its goal is to make the gTLD application process accessible to those who “otherwise would not be able to do so due to financial and resource constraints”[3]. The program provides two types of support.

First, ICANN offers a fee reduction of between 75% and 85%. This reduction translates into an out-of-pocket cost of approximately USD 34,500 (–75%) to USD 56,750 (–85%). Additional measures are planned: an auction credit in case of contention resolution[4] and a possible reduction of the base registry fees for selected applicants[5].

Second, ICANN aims to strengthen applicants’ capacities through training sessions, volunteer service providers, and personalized guidance by an Applicant Counselor[6]. It is important to note that neither the Applicant Counselors nor the pro bono service providers act as ICANN representatives. They are independent volunteers, lawyers, technical experts, and financial professionals, connected to applicants through ICANN’s network, without any official mandate or ICANN endorsement of their advice[7].

Enhanced technical support through the RSP Evaluation Program. The ASP is integrated into a broader framework for the Next Round: the Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program[8]. Technical registry providers can be pre-evaluated once for the services they intend to offer and, if approved, become “pre-approved RSPs” for the entire round. An applicant, including ASP beneficiaries, who selects a pre-approved RSP will not need to undergo a separate technical evaluation, thereby reducing documentation requirements and total project costs.

What the program does not cover. While the ASP significantly lowers initial costs, it does not finance all expenses associated with creating and operating a gTLD. The financial aid applies only to ICANN evaluation fees and, in certain cases, conditional reductions of registry fees. The applicant remains responsible for costs related to the technical registry provider (backend/RSP), human resources, technical development, marketing and communication efforts, and any legal fees outside of pro bono services. In other words, the 85% reduction does not make the project “almost free” but rather lowers the entry barrier for local or community-oriented initiatives[9].

Potential beneficiaries. The previous support program in 2012 attracted only a handful of applicants. The 2024–2025 iteration appears more ambitious: ICANN has allocated funding for approximately 40 to 45 approved applications. The ASP is not open to all applicants; eligibility criteria set out in the Quick-Start Guide[10] and detailed in the Checklist[11] identify five main categories:

• Non-profit organizations: must be recognized by a competent authority or hold an Equivalency Determination certificate issued by an authorized professional. The Equivalency Determination mechanism, rooted in U.S. law, certifies that a foreign NGO is equivalent to a U.S. public charity. While practical and recognized, it may appear in tension with ICANN’s aspiration toward global, non-territorial governance. To mitigate this, the ASP provides alternative routes, such as recognition by a local authority. For instance, a French organization under the Law of 1 July 1901 can provide its official registration and bylaws.
• Intergovernmental organizations: those with a standing invitation to the United Nations General Assembly or part of specialized agencies.
• Indigenous or tribal organizations: those recognized by national or international authorities or supported by the community they represent.
• Small social or public-benefit enterprises: those whose primary mission is the public good, demonstrated through their statutes and core activities.
• Micro or small enterprises from developing economies: established in countries classified as Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, or Economies in Transition according to UN categories[12].

These categories reflect ICANN’s desire to open the top-level domain space to a wider range of geographic, linguistic, and cultural participants, consistent with its vision of a global yet diverse Internet.

2. Eligibility Criteria and Evaluation Process

Access to the ASP is based on a combination of legal, financial, and ethical requirements.

Legal requirements. The applicant must demonstrate legal existence, administrative good standing, and no prior involvement in cybersquatting. The application form explicitly asks whether “the applicant or any individual listed in the organizational file has, within the past ten years, been the subject of a decision indicating that they engaged in cybersquatting”[13]. The checklist also requires a statement of compliance with intellectual property laws, confirming no prior involvement in domain name–related infringement proceedings.

Financial requirements. The applicant must demonstrate financial need, defined as revenues or assets below USD 5 million over the past two fiscal years, resulting in an inability to cover the full USD 227,000 evaluation fee. Financial statements, preferably audited, must be accompanied by an explanatory note justifying the need for assistance and a viability plan to cover the remaining costs.

Two-step evaluation.

• Phase 1 – General Business Due Diligence: verification of legal status, entity type, and basic eligibility requirements.
• Phase 2 – Support Applicant Review Panel: detailed examination of public-interest value, financial need, and sustainability plan.

3. Procedure and Timeline

The ASP application window is open from 19 November 2024 to 19 November 2025, with a four-week grace period for applicants who have already registered their organization in the system before the deadline. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis in the order received, with an estimated evaluation time of 12 to 16 weeks[14].

Successful applicants will receive a Conditionally Approved decision and must submit a USD 2,500 deposit before final approval. The main gTLD application window will then open for all applicants, giving ASP beneficiaries time to complete their full submission with ICANN’s support.

4. Outlook and Perspectives

The program’s launch is part of a broader effort toward inclusivity. In 2012, the vast majority of the 1,930 applications came from large corporations or well-established actors. This time, ICANN aims to rebalance global representation in the TLD space. Beyond financial considerations, the initiative aligns with ICANN’s statutory mandate: under its Bylaws (Section 1.2(b)(ii))[15], ICANN must promote participation reflecting the geographic and cultural diversity of the Internet community.

In this sense, the ASP serves as a governance test, an opportunity for ICANN to prove that inclusivity can coexist with DNS stability, security, and compliance. Its success will depend not only on the strength of applications but also on transparency in selection and sustained support for local, linguistic, and community-based initiatives. If successful, the ASP could become a cornerstone of future gTLD rounds.

Given this context, expert guidance becomes essential. IP Twins assists project leaders in assessing their eligibility for the ASP, building a robust application, aligning their gTLD strategy with their brand, and choosing a pre-approved Registry Service Provider suited to their goals. Our team supports applicants throughout every stage, pre-application feasibility assessment, documentation review, risk anticipation, and post-delegation governance and abuse-mitigation strategies.

Conclusion

The Applicant Support Program stands out as one of the most significant innovations in the upcoming gTLD round. By lowering financial barriers and guiding emerging applicants, ICANN seeks to open DNS governance to a more diverse community of actors, languages, and visions. The question remains whether this ambition will materialize in practice.

The program’s success will hinge on the quality of selected projects, the transparency of the process, and the continuity of support. For potential applicants, the time to prepare is now: evaluate eligibility, build a solid case, select reliable technical partners, and define a clear long-term strategy.

The ASP is not a wide-open door, but a valuable window of opportunity for those seeking to anchor their local mission on the global map of Internet extensions.

Notes

[1] ICANN, gTLD Evaluation Fee Frequently Asked Questions, ICANN.org.

[2] ICANN, Draft Guidebook for the New gTLD Program: Next Round Posted for Public Comment, 30 May 2025, pp. 25, 61 et 62 : ICANN.org.

[3] « The ASP is intended to make applying for a new gTLD or operating a registry more accessible to applicants who would be otherwise unable due to financial and resource constraints » (ICANN, Applicant Support Program: ICANN.org ).

[4] “Contention resolution” refers to the procedure established by ICANN to determine the outcome when multiple applicants submit a request for the same top-level domain (gTLD). Depending on the circumstances, this resolution process may involve negotiation, mediation, drawing of lots, comparative evaluation, or, as a last resort, an auction. See ICANN, Draft Guidebook for the New gTLD Program: Next Round Posted for Public Comment, 30 May 2025, pp. 154-156 : ICANN.org.

[5] « Applicants that qualify for support will be eligible for financial and non-financial assistance to apply for a gTLD including (…) Reduced base Registry Operator fees, should the supported applicant prevail in the gTLD program evaluation and proceed to contracting and delegation » (ICANN, Applicant Support Program : ICANN.org ). See also a letter from Tripti Sinha to Jonathan Zuck of 13 October 2025 : ICANN.org.

[6] The “Applicant Counselor” is an advisor made available by ICANN to assist selected applicants under the Applicant Support Program. Their role is to answer questions related to the gTLD application process, guide applicants toward available resources, and more broadly, strengthen their administrative and technical capacities throughout the program.

[7] Para. 6.6.2., New gTLD Program Applicant Support Program Handbook, 9 August 2024 : ICANN.org.

[8] ICANN, Introduction to the RSP Handbook, ICANN.org.

[9] ICANN, Draft Guidebook for the New gTLD Program: Next Round Posted for Public Comment, 30 May 2025, p. 13 : ICANN.org.

[10] ASP Applicant Quick Start Guide : ICANN.org.

[11] ASP Applicant Checklist : ICANN.org.

[12] Nations Unies World Economic Situation and Prospects 2023 : UNCTAD.org.

[13] « Has the applicant or any individuals named within the Organizational Account Record […] been subject to any decisions indicating that the applicant […] was engaged in cybersquatting […] within the last ten years ? » (ASP Applicant Checklist : ICANN.org, pp. 6 and 7).

[14] On this point, the Draft Applicant Guidebook emphasizes the indicative nature of the timelines, cautiously referring to them as the “expected duration” for the various stages of the process.

[15] « Seeking and supporting broad, informed participation reflecting the functional, geographic, and cultural diversity of the Internet at all levels of policy development and decision-making to ensure that the bottom-up, multistakeholder policy development process is used to ascertain the global public interest and that those processes are accountable and transparent ») : Bylaws for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers : ICANN.org.