Email from ICANN Thursday, 14 May 2026 ICANN Community Digest Click here to learn more about the New gTLD Program 2026 Round Applicant Guidebook 2026 Round Vendor Sourcing Timeline 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! Table of Contents ICANN86 Prep Week NEW: ICANN86 Schedule Now Available Information Sharing NEW: ICANN Extends Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 2026 Round Independent Objectors NEW: ICANN Publishes Fiscal Year 2026 Third-Quarter Management Financial Results NEW: ICANN Adds Urgent Requests Requirement to Registration Data Policy NEW: ICANN Seeks Input on Additional Reference LGR and Related Updates Helping the Ombuds Office Learn and Improve 2026 Round NEW: Pre-submitted questions for final TAMS Q&A webinar due by 18 May New gTLD Program: 2026 Round Opens Today ICANN Opens Second Application Period for the 2026 Round RSP Evaluation Program ICANN 2026 Round Application System User Guide, Support Model Available Webinars ICANN to Host Question-and-Answer Sessions for New gTLD Applicants Webinar Series on 2026 Round Objections and Appeals Processes 🚨 Action Items 🚨 Call for Expressions of Interest: ICANN 2027 NomCom Chair and Chair-Elect ICANN Issues Request for Proposal: 2026 Round Auction ICANN Board Seeks Input on Additional Funds for 2026 Round Applicant Support Program ICANN Request for Proposal: 2026 Round Financial and Operational Evaluation ICANNWiki Seeking Volunteers Public Comment NEW: Public Comment Summary Report: Proposed Language for the Draft CPE Evaluation Guide NEW: Additional Reference Label Generation Rules and Related Updates Events These events occur in May 2026. ICANN86 Prep Week NEW: ICANN86 Schedule Now Available ICANN86 will take place during regular working hours in Seville, Spain (Central European Summer Time, CEST / UTC+2:00 hours). Read more. Information Sharing NEW: ICANN Extends Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 2026 Round Independent Objectors The Independent Objectors will file Community and Limited Public Interest objections and appeals, and participate in mediation, where appropriate. Deadline: 01 June 2026 Read more. NEW: ICANN Publishes Fiscal Year 2026 Third-Quarter Management Financial Results ICANN Operations expenses through March 2026 are lower than budget and higher than the same period last year. Read more. NEW: ICANN Adds Urgent Requests Requirement to Registration Data Policy Urgent requests include situations that pose an imminent threat to life, of serious bodily injury, to critical infrastructure, or of child exploitation where disclosure of data is necessary in combatting or addressing the threat. Read more. NEW: ICANN Seeks Input on Additional Reference LGR and Related Updates ICANN opened a Public Comment proceeding to gather input from the ICANN community on the following Label Generation Rules (LGR). Announcement. Public Comment. Helping the Ombuds Office Learn and Improve Understanding client experience is key and community members who have used the Ombuds Office have valuable information. Read more and request a survey. 2026 Round NEW: Pre-submitted questions for final TAMS Q&A webinar due by 18 May ICANN will host its final 2026 Round TAMS Q&A webinar on 26 May. Attendees are invited to submit questions using this submission form. Pre-submitted questions are due by 18 May. Register. New gTLD Program: 2026 Round Opens Today New gTLDs have demonstrated their benefits in building brand trust, creating vibrant local digital ecosystems, and providing more intuitive navigation for users. 2026 Round Launch Page Press Release Announcement ICANN Opens Second Application Period for the 2026 Round RSP Evaluation Program The second application period for the RSP Evaluation Program runs from 30 April to 12 August 2026. Read more. ICANN 2026 Round Application System User Guide, Support Model Available ICANN has made several resources available to help prospective applicants familiarize themselves with ICANN's TLD Application Management System (TAMS). This online system will be used by all applicants, evaluation panelists, and ICANN staff to submit, manage, and process new gTLD applications. These resources are available to help prospective applicants prepare for the application completion and submission process through TAMS: System user guide Frequently Asked Questions Demo videos Q&A webinar recordings Read more. Webinars ICANN to Host Question-and-Answer Sessions for New gTLD Applicants Date: 26 May, 16:00 UTC Read more and register. Webinar Series on 2026 Round Objections and Appeals Processes Introduction: 19 May, 14:00 UTC | 26 May, 06:00 UTC WIPO, Dispute Resolution Service Provider: 20 May, 14:00 UTC | 27 May, 06:00 UTC International Chamber of Commerce, Dispute Resolution Service Provider: 21 May, 14:00 UTC | 28 May, 06:00 UTC Read more and register. Action Items Call for Expressions of Interest: ICANN 2027 NomCom Chair and Chair-Elect The Chair position blends time management and negotiation skills with the practical aspects of conducting a worldwide search for individuals to fill various ICANN leadership positions. Deadline: 29 May 2026 Read more. ICANN Issues Request for Proposal: 2026 Round Auction The selected provider will implement the ascending-clock, second-price auction method and must have the capability to accommodate a high volume of auctions, including both direct and indirect contention sets. Deadline: 2 June 2026 Read more. ICANN Request for Proposal: 2026 Round Financial and Operational Evaluation The Financial and Operational Evaluation occurs during the applicant evaluation phase of the New gTLD Program, expected to begin in Q3 2027. Deadline: 12 June 2026 Read more. ICANNWiki Seeking Volunteers ICANNWiki is seeking volunteers to assist with creating and editing articles and content for the site. Do you want to help? Getting started is as simple as requesting an account. Then, make sure to read the short content guide to get a feel for what belongs in the wiki. Also, feel free to take a look at some data source suggestions on where to find reliable data. Happy editing! Public Comment NEW: Public Comment Summary Report: Proposed Language for the Draft CPE Evaluation Guide NEW: Additional Reference Label Generation Rules and Related Updates Submissions Opening Date: Tuesday, 12 May 2026 Submissions Closing Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2026 See upcoming proceedings. See other public consultations. Events These events occur in May 2026. To learn more, please visit our community engagement calendar. West Africa IGF 2026 ITU - Global Symposium for Regulators(GSR) 2026 DNS-OARC 46 RIPE 92 DNSSEC workshop in Yamoussokro, Cote d'Ivoire 2026 Round Objections and Appeals Processes - ICANN hosts 1 of 2 Africa Tech Policy Summit Volume 8, Issue 34 | Archive | Next Issue: Monday, 18 May 2026 STAY INFORMED: Subscribe here ICANN | 12025 Waterfront Drive Suite 300 | Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice