ICANN - Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers

05/01/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/01/2024 11:05

ICANN Launches New gTLD Program WebsiteMarika Konings

I am pleased to announce the launch of a new website dedicated to the New Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Program. The site is meant to serve as a living resource for the program - current, past, and future - and provides information related to the New gTLD Program: Next Round. The launch of the website marks the first in a series of milestones and deliverables, paving the way to the opening of the next round of new gTLD applications in April 2026.

The New gTLD Program: Next Round site provides potential applicants and others in the community with valuable information, resources, and news. The site includes estimated timelines for the opening and closing of the next round application submission period and detailed information about the Applicant Support Program (ASP) and Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program.

The ASP is a vital initiative intended to provide financial and nonfinancial support to eligible entities that meet the program criteria. Potential ASP applicants can visit the site to review the draft ASP Handbook, see the progressive phases of the application process, peruse Frequently Asked Questions, and access program resources. When the ASP application submission period opens (in the fourth quarter of 2024), applicants will be able to access the ASP Application System via the website.

The RSP Evaluation Program also is featured on the new site as an important element of the next round of new gTLD applications. The program is intended to reduce the cost and time involved in evaluating new gTLDs by separating the assessment of the technical aspects of operating a gTLD from the application for a new gTLD label. The new website provides information on how to apply to the RSP program, FAQs, and other resources. The RSP Handbook will be available on the new site by the end of May 2024, and ultimately, the site will include a list of the RSPs that have been evaluated through the program.

We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the tremendous collaborative effort involved in building this new website. The dedicated website team was well supported by team members across the ICANN organization, representing Global Communications and Language Services, Engineering and IT, and Global Domains and Strategy, among others.

To keep you up to date during this dynamic time, we invite you to subscribe to the New gTLD Program: Next Round mailing list by sending an email to [email protected]. Once subscribed, you will receive the latest news about the New gTLD Program in your inbox. You can also access an online archive of those emails.

Look for the ICANN80 New gTLD Program: Next Round Status Report available on the site later in May.

Authors

Marika Konings

VP, New gTLD Program Lead
Read biography

Marika Konings

VP, New gTLD Program Lead

Marika Konings joined ICANN in July 2008. In her current role as Vice President, new gTLD Program, Lead, she provides leadership and direction over multiple tracks of organizational activities toward implementation of a subsequent round of ICANN's new gTLD Program.

Previously, she served the organization as Vice President, Policy Development Support. In this capacity she supported and coordinated cross-functional activities that aid the development of global policies that advance ICANN's mission of preserving the security, stability, and interoperability of the Internet. In addition, she was responsible for providing guidance, direction, and advice to staff across the Policy function in achieving organizational objectives.

Prior to joining ICANN, Marika was Director of European Affairs for the Cyber Security Industry Alliance. Before that, Marika spent seven years as senior consultant for a Brussels-based public affairs consultancy, where she represented health care and technology clients. Marika is a Dutch national and has a degree from the University of Maastricht, the Netherlands, in Culture and Sciences and a Master's Degree in European Political and Administrative Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.