ICANN Community Digest - TOMORROW: ICANN to Host Question-and-Answer Sessions for New gTLD Applicants - ALAC-Announce

April 20, 2026

      [https://danh45uab.cc.rs6.net/on.jsp?ca=7cc713b6-3875-47f6-bb22-9c8a3a17be6d&...]

Monday, 20 April 2026

ICANN Community Digest

[https://files.constantcontact.com/304b3fd3501/31f30ab5-1445-45c3-aef7-c0ea4e...]

Click here to learn more about the New gTLD Program [danh45uab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/danh45uab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001AghIYYfQ...>

2026 Round Applicant Guidebook [danh45uab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/danh45uab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001AghIYYfQ...>

2026 Round Vendor Sourcing Timeline [danh45uab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/danh45uab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001AghIYYfQ...>

The ICANN organization Policy Development Support function publishes this twice-weekly digest

to help ICANN community groups track requests and follow updates.

Do you have any ideas for improving the ICANN Community Digest?

Write to us at policyinfo@icann.org!<mailto:policyinfo@icann.org>

Table of Contents

2026 Round
·     CLOSES TODAY: Call for Expressions of Interest: 2026 Round Independent Objectors
·     2026 Round TAMS Webinars and Newly Available FAQs
·     Next Round Champions Toolkit Available in the Six ICANN Languages

Webinars
·     NEW: ICANN Webinar Series for EMEA: ICANN and Global Internet Governance Engagements in 2026
·     NEW: APRALO Policy Forum Webinar Series on A Multilingual Internet: Webinar #3: Universal Acceptance of All Domain Names and Email Addresses
·     NEW: The Rise and Fall of Undelegated TLDs: The Impact of a Global Misconfiguration Webinar
·     NEW: At-Large Webinar: “ICANN Global Public Interest Framework (GPIF) and Relevance to At-Large
·     NEW: ICANN Technical Webinar EMEA: Phishing and DNS Abuse - Operational Blindspots
·     TOMORROW: ICANN to Host Question-and-Answer Sessions for New gTLD Applicants
·     THURSDAY: Preview the ICANN FY27–31 Operating and Financial Plans

🚨 Action Items 🚨
·     ICANN Request for Proposal: Global Payroll Services
·     ICANN Issues Request for Proposal: 2026 Round Auction
·     ICANN Board Seeks Input on Additional Funds for 2026 Round Applicant Support Program
·     ICANNWiki Seeking Volunteers

Public Comment
·     Draft Evaluation Guides for Community Priority Evaluation (CPE)

Events
·     These events occur in April 2026.

2026 Round

CLOSES TODAY: Call for Expressions of Interest: 2026 Round Independent Objectors

ICANN opened a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to identify three individuals to serve as Independent Objectors, including one who will act as chair, as part of the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: 2026 Round. The Independent Objectors will file Community and Limited Public Interest objections and appeals and participate in mediation, where appropriate. Although an individual may be affiliated with a firm, that person will be ultimately responsible for the processes described in this EOI. Individuals from the same firm will not be selected.

Deadline: 20 April 2026

Read more. [danh45uab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/danh45uab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001AghIYYfQ...>

2026 Round TAMS Webinars and Newly Available FAQs

TAMS is the online system that will be used by applicants, ICANN staff, and evaluation panelists to submit, manage, and process new gTLD applications.

Read more. [danh45uab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/danh45uab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001AghIYYfQ...>

Next Round Champions Toolkit Available in the Six ICANN Languages

ICANN is working with the community to identify potential Applicant Support Program (ASP) applicants – especially in regions that are currently under-represented in ICANN. If you are interested in helping to raise awareness among your own contacts or communities, please use the materials in the Next Round Champions Toolkit [danh45uab.cc.rs6.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/danh45uab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001AghIYYfQ...>.

To stay up to date on the New gTLD Program: Next Round and ASP, join the mailing list: nextroundinfo@icann.org. ASP leads, targets, and ideas can be sent to engagement.newgTLDprogram@icann.org<mailto:engagement.newgTLDprogram@icann.org>.

Webinars

NEW: ICANN Webinar Series for EMEA: ICANN and Global Internet Governance Engagements in 2026

Date: Wednesday 22 April 2026 (12:00 - 13:00 UTC)