Email from ICANN Thursday, 28 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 Schedule PRSP Pre-ICANN86 Briefing Information Sharing NEW: ICANN Advisory Clarifies Registration Data Directory Services Email Requirements NEW: The 2026 ICANN Nominating Committee: Two Intersessionals, Six Short Lists NEW: Chair’s Blog: Recap of the May Board Workshop NEW: Building on Long-Standing Cooperation to Strengthen Digital Capacity in Africa 2026 Round NEW: Prepare Your gTLD Application With New Resources From ICANN 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 NEXT WEEK: ICANN to Host Question-and-Answer Sessions for New gTLD Applicants NEXT WEEK: Webinar Series on 2026 Round Objections and Appeals Processes 🚨 Action Items 🚨 NEXT WEEK: Call for Expressions of Interest: ICANN 2027 NomCom Chair and Chair-Elect ICANN Extends Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 2026 Round Independent Objectors 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 Additional Reference Label Generation Rules and Related Updates Events These events occur in June 2026. ICANN86 Prep Week Schedule PRSP Pre-ICANN86 Briefing ICANN86 Policy Outlook Report Information Sharing NEW: ICANN Advisory Clarifies Registration Data Directory Services Email Requirements ICANN issued this advisory to inform the community about these web form implementation practices. The advisory clarifies how current obligations apply in such cases and explains the circumstances in which web forms will be deemed compliant as a way to facilitate communication. Read more. NEW: The 2026 ICANN Nominating Committee: Two Intersessionals, Six Short Lists At ICANN86, the NomCom will conduct face-to-face interviews with the short-listed ICANN Board and PTI Board candidates. Read more. NEW: Chair’s Blog: Recap of the May Board Workshop The workshop took place just after the Contracted Parties Summit, giving members of the Board the opportunity to attend and engage with ICANN-accredited registrars and generic top-level domain (gTLD) registries. Read more. NEW: Building on Long-Standing Cooperation to Strengthen Digital Capacity in Africa Infrastructure and skills have to develop together. Technical systems depend on institutions and people being able to operate, maintain, and strengthen them over time. Read more. 2026 Round NEW: Prepare Your gTLD Application With New Resources From ICANN The application window for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) has been open for several weeks, and the TLD Application Management System (TAMS), the online platform for submitting, managing, and processing applications, is available to applicants. ICANN has developed learning materials that help users get familiar with the system before starting on an application. These include recorded Q&A webinars, demonstration videos, and the newest tool, simulation videos. The simulations offer interactive previews of several functions in TAMS that help users build proficiency before working in the live environment. Simulation Videos. Blog. 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. Action Items TOMORROW: 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. MONDAY: 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. TUESDAY: 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: 02 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 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 June 2026. To learn more, please visit our community engagement calendar. 16th Regional Cyberdrill for Americas—​Regional CyberDrill OSIANE 2026 Digital Power and Democratic Futures ICANN86 Seville Policy Forum ADNDRC Practice Development Workshop 2026 North America Space: Finding Your Path in ICANN: From First Steps to Community Leadership IT Law Training Program - Hacettepe University NOG-FI Meeting Volume 8, Issue 37 | Archive | Next Issue: Monday, 01 June 2026 STAY INFORMED: Subscribe here ICANN | 12025 Waterfront Drive Suite 300 | Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice