Email from ICANN Thursday, 16 April 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 Information Sharing NEW: Publication: ICANN and the IETF NEW: ICANN to Host Question-and-Answer Sessions for New gTLD Applicants NEW: You Said; We Listened: Public Comment Proceeding and Ombuds Office Improvements 2026 Round NEW: 2026 Round TAMS Webinars and Newly Available FAQs CLOSES MONDAY: Call for Expressions of Interest: 2026 Round Independent Objectors Key 2026 Round Updates and Resources Next Round Champions Toolkit Available in the Six ICANN Languages Webinars NEW: ICANN to Host Question-and-Answer Sessions for New gTLD Applicants Preview the ICANN FY27–31 Operating and Financial Plans 🚨 Action Items 🚨 CLOSES TOMORROW: ICANN86 Community Childcare Grants Program: Apply Now CLOSES SUNDAY: ICANN Board Seeks Input on Additional Funds for 2026 Round Applicant Support Program CLOSES SUNDAY: ICANN87 Fellowship Application Round Now Open 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 NEW: Public Comment Summary Report: Fundamental Bylaws Amendments on IANARelated Reviews and CSC Charter Update Draft Evaluation Guides for Community Priority Evaluation (CPE) Events These events occur in April 2026. Information Sharing NEW: Publication: ICANN and the IETF The Internet’s infrastructure is maintained by the coordinated efforts of many. The engagement of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) with the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) constitutes one essential thread in that fabric. Read more. NEW: ICANN to Host Question-and-Answer Sessions for New gTLD Applicants ICANN is hosting a new webinar series dedicated to answering questions about the TLD Application Management System (TAMS) and other aspects of the 2026 Round gTLD application process. TAMS is the online system used by applicants, ICANN staff, and evaluation panelists to manage, process, and submit new gTLD applications. While the focus of the webinars will be on how to use TAMS, potential applicants are invited to pose questions on other aspects of the gTLD application and evaluation processes as well. Pre-submitted questions will be prioritized during the four webinars. Attendees are invited to submit questions using this submission form. Read more. NEW: You Said; We Listened: Public Comment Proceeding and Ombuds Office Improvements I was very pleased to receive 11 submissions from individuals, organizations, and community groups with valuable suggestions for Ombuds Office improvement. Read more. 2026 Round NEW: 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. CLOSES MONDAY: 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. Key 2026 Round Updates and Resources Stay tuned for more information and updates as we approach the 30 April 2026 opening. Read more. 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. 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. Webinars NEW: ICANN to Host Question-and-Answer Sessions for New gTLD Applicants Dates: 21 April, 16:00 UTC | 21 April, 23:00 UTC | 12 May, 16:00 UTC | 26 May, 16:00 UTC Read more and register. Preview the ICANN FY27–31 Operating and Financial Plans Date: 23 April 2026 (15:00–16:00 UTC) Register. Action Items CLOSES TOMORROW: ICANN86 Community Childcare Grants Program: Apply Now ICANN opened the application round for its Community Childcare Grants Program for ICANN86 in Seville, Spain. The program facilitates the 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, 17 April 2026  Read more. CLOSES SUNDAY: ICANN Board Seeks Input on Additional Funds for 2026 Round Applicant Support Program The ICANN Board is requesting community input via written correspondence on additional funds for the ASP. NEW Deadline: 19 April 2026 Read more. CLOSES SUNDAY: ICANN87 Fellowship Application Round Now Open ICANN is opening the application round for the ICANN Fellowship Program for ICANN87 Annual General Meeting. The ICANN87 meeting is scheduled for 17–22 October 2026 in Muscat, Oman. If ICANN87 is held virtually, the Fellowship Program also will be held virtually. The deadline to apply is 19 April 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Read more. ICANN Request for Proposal: Global Payroll Services ICANN's preference would be to contract with one provider that can support all in-scope countries; however, under certain considerations ICANN may be open to selecting multiple providers as part of this initiative.  Deadline: 8 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. 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: Fundamental Bylaws Amendments on IANARelated Reviews and CSC Charter Update Draft Evaluation Guides for Community Priority Evaluation (CPE) Open for Submissions Date: Tuesday, 24 March 2026 Closed for Submissions Date: Monday, 04 May 2026 See upcoming proceedings. See other public consultations. Events These events occur in April 2026. To learn more, please visit our community engagement calendar. 1st African Preparatory Meeting for WTSA-28 CaribNOG 31 Regional Meeting USTTI Cybersecurity Leadership ARIN 57 48 Meeting of PCC.I ZANOG@iWeek 2026 Volume 8, Issue 26 | Archive | Next Issue: Monday, 20 April 2026 STAY INFORMED: Subscribe here ICANN | 12025 Waterfront Drive Suite 300 | Los Angeles, CA 90094-2536 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice