Email sent on behalf of the co-chairs of the ALAC Objections Small team, Hannah Frank and Dev Anand Teelucksingh Dear APRALO Members, As ICANN launches the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round, the ALAC is seeking members of the At-Large Community to join the At-Large gTLD Applications Review Group (gARG). Your participation helps ensure that new Top Level Domains (TLDs) align with the public interest and protect the rights of global communities. Background The New gTLD Program: 2026 Round gives businesses, communities, governments and other organizations the chance to apply for new top-level domains. (See https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/ [newgtldprogram.icann.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/newgtldprogram.icann.org/__;!!PtGJab4!44W...> ). The general public has the opportunity to file an objection to a gTLD application for a fee. Such objections are considered before a panel which adjudicates on whether an application can proceed or not. During this round, funding is available to the ALAC to file objections to gTLD applications in the New gTLD Program : 2026 Round on two grounds: * Community Objection – There is substantial opposition to the gTLD application from a significant portion of the community to which the gTLD string may be explicitly or implicitly targeted and Limited Public Interest Objection – The applied-for gTLD string is contrary to generally accepted legal norms of morality and public order that are recognized under principles of international law * Limited Public Interest Objection – The applied-for gTLD string is contrary to generally accepted legal norms of morality and public order that are recognized under principles of international law -------------------------- About the gTLD Applications Review Group (gARG) The gARG is a At-Large Working Group composed of 12-15 members representing all five Regional At-Large Organisations (RALOs). The main goal of the gARG is to streamline how the ALAC and At-Large Community submits comments and file objections to new gTLD applications that raise public interest or community concerns. Key Responsibilities of the gARG As a member of the gARG, you will play a key role in the ALAC’s bottom up development of comments on, and objections to gTLD applications. Your duties will include: * Helping identify gTLD applications that raise community or limited public interest concerns * Raising and discussing such concerns at At-Large calls and email lists for further discussion; * Preparing official comments on behalf of At-Large for ALAC approval and submission to ICANN Application Comment Forum. * Monitoring responses to comments and recommending whether concerns should be escalated to formal Community Objections or Limited Public Interest Objections * Monitoring responses to any filed objections and if dismissed, recommend whether to file an appeal and draft the necessary Appeal Statement. ------------------------ gARG Membership Requirements To ensure the gARG can effectively advocate for At-Large, members should: * Have an understanding of the ICANN New gTLD Program: 2026 Round and a familiarity with the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round Applicant Guidebook at https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-rounds/round2/agb [newgtldprogram.icann.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-r...> * Understand the ALAC Procedure for Filing Comments and Objections in the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round at https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/DwBAD [icann-community.atlassian.net]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/DwBA...> * Have an updated At-Large Statement of Interest (SOI) page. * Have strong proficiency in English for drafting comments and objections * Be engaged in their RALO, as they are expected to participate in RALO calls and RALO email discussions about gTLD applications and potential concerns and to bring this back to the gARG. * Be Free from any actual or perceived Conflicts of Interest. You cannot serve if you are publicly supporting a specific gTLD application, have a financial interest in an applicant, or have a family member employed by an applicant. -------------------------- Expected Level of Commitment gARG Members should expect an active workload during the 104-day Application Comment and Objection Period, including weekly calls and regular engagement via email and shared workspaces ,whilst still participating in RALO calls and email discussions. -------------------------- Why your participation matters This is a unique opportunity for At-Large members to directly contribute to the evaluation of new gTLD applications and ensure that end-user and community perspectives are taken into account. Participation in the gARG helps shape how At-Large engages in one of the most important processes of the Next Round. --------------------- IMPORTANT - Open until 30th June 2026 *** How to submit your expression of interest to join the gARG *** If you have understood the gARG requirements and are willing, please ensure your At-Large Statement of Interest form is up to date (email At-Large Staff at staff@atlarge.icann.org<mailto:staff@atlarge.icann.org> if you don’t have a SOI page). Next, please complete the form at https://forms.gle/aXZvQjYgvBzSoMTk6 [forms.gle]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/forms.gle/aXZvQjYgvBzSoMTk6__;!!PtGJab4!4...> . At-Large Staff will acknowledge receipt of your expression of interest, cc’ing your RALO leadership that your application has been received. Thank you. Kind regards, Hannah Frank and Dev Anand Teelucksingh Co-chairs of the ALAC Objections Small team