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

to help ICANN community leaders track requests and follow updates.

ICANN76 Resources

• NEW: ICANN76 SO/AC Zoom Backgrounds
• REMINDER: ICANN77 Community Childcare Grants Pilot Program Application
• REMINDER: ICANN Continues the Pandemic Internet Access Reimbursement Program
• REMINDER: Register for the ICANN76 Community Forum in Cancún, Mexico

Information Sharing

• NEW: Press Release-Coalition for Digital Africa Announces Internet Exchange Point Initiative
• NEW: Update on ICANN Org’s Recent Milestones
• NEW: Work Stream 2 Implementation, Fourth Quarter of 2022 Update
• REMINDER: ICANN Request for Quotation: Storage Network Replacement 2023
• REMINDER: ICANN Request for Proposal: Software Engineering Staff Augmentation
• REMINDER: Call for SOs/ACs to Nominate Fellowship Program Mentors and Selection Committee Members
• REMINDER: Watch the Recording of the Draft ICANN FY24 Plans Informational Webinar
• REMINDER: Apply Now for ICANN and PTI Leadership Positions
• REMINDER: ICANN Community Excellence Award Nomination Period Now Open

Public Comment 

• Draft FY24–28 Operating & Financial Plan and Draft FY24 Operating Plan & Budget
• Proposed Procedure for Selecting a Top-Level Domain String for Private Use
• Additional Script-Based Reference Label Generation Rules and Related Updates

NEW: ICANN76 SO/AC Zoom Backgrounds

ICANN76 Community Forum SO/AC Zoom Backgrounds here.

REMINDER: ICANN77 Community Childcare Grants Pilot Program Application

ICANN is opening the application round for its Community Childcare Grants Pilot Program for ICANN77 in Washington, DC. The program facilitates in-person participation of community members with children who are 12 years old or younger at ICANN Public Meetings and eligible ICANN events.

Deadline: Friday, 10 March 2023 at 23:59 UTC

Apply here.

Read more.

REMINDER: ICANN Continues the Pandemic Internet Access Reimbursement Program

Interested ICANN community members must apply in advance of ICANN76, and those who meet the eligibility requirements will be selected to participate.

The application process opens Monday, 30 January 2023.

The application deadline is Friday, 24 February 2023 at 23:59 UTC.

Since ICANN76 will be conducted as a hybrid meeting, only applicants that attend virtually are eligible for this program. The program details are available here

Read more.

REMINDER: Register for the ICANN76 Community Forum in Cancún, Mexico

Registration for in-person attendance closes on 8 March 2023. Registration for virtual participation will remain open through 16 March 2023.

The full schedule for ICANN76 will be published on 17 February 2023.

Prep Week will be held 27 February 2023 - 01 March 2023

The Prep Week schedule will be published on 13 February 2023.

ICANN76 Health and Safety Protocols

Registration link.

NEW: Press Release-Coalition for Digital Africa Announces Internet Exchange Point Initiative

The Coalition for Digital Africa announced another major initiative aimed at strengthening the Internet infrastructure across the continent. This latest initiative will focus on enhancing five existing Internet exchange points (IXPs), to improve Internet access by making it faster and more affordable, thus positively impacting Internet users in the regions they are placed in.

Read more.

NEW: Update on ICANN Org’s Recent Milestones

As we approach the first Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Public Meeting of 2023, the ICANN76 Community Forum, I wanted to share an update on the ICANN organization's (org) activities since our last meeting. It's important to recognize the progress we've made so far as we consider the next steps.

Read more.

NEW: Work Stream 2 Implementation, Fourth Quarter of 2022 Update

The Work Stream 2 Implementation Summary – Q4 2022 Quarterly Report provides a comprehensive update on the latest implementation activities, including links to implementation documentation of complete recommendations.

Read more.

REMINDER: ICANN Request for Quotation: Storage Network Replacement 2023

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) organization issued a request for quotation (RFQ) to identify one or more providers to facilitate the sourcing and pre-configuration of predetermined storage area network equipment for our data centers.

For a complete overview of this RFQ, including the timeline, please click here.

Read more.

REMINDER: Watch the Recording of the Draft ICANN FY24 Plans Informational Webinar

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) posted the Draft FY24-28 Operating and Financial Plan, and Draft FY24 Operating Plan and Budget for public comment on December 14, 2022. See link. And this proceeding closes on 13 February 2023. 

ICANN org hosted two informational webinars about the Draft FY24 Plans, both webinars presented identical information, please watch the recording to learn more about these Plans.

REMINDER: Apply Now for ICANN and PTI Leadership Positions

The Nominating Committee (NomCom) of ICANN is accepting applications for key leadership positions within ICANN's Supporting Organizations and Advisory Committees, the ICANN Board of Directors, and the Public Technical Identifiers (PTI) Board of Directors.

The deadline to submit applications is 23 March 2023 at 23:59 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Read more.

REMINDER: ICANN Community Excellence Award Nomination Period Now Open

The nomination period for the ICANN Community Excellence Award is now open. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, 28 March 2023 and the winner(s) will be announced at ICANN77. Learn more about the nomination process.

Submit your nominations.

Draft FY24–28 Operating & Financial Plan and Draft FY24 Operating Plan & Budget

Open for submissions date: 14 December 2022

Closed for submissions date: 13 February 2023

Proposed Procedure for Selecting a Top-Level Domain String for Private Use

Open for submissions date: 13 January 2023

Closed for submissions date: 28 February 2023

Additional Script-Based Reference Label Generation Rules and Related Updates

Open for submissions date: 19 January 2023

Closed for submissions date: 03 March 2023 

See upcoming proceedings.

See other public consultations.