Dear CPWG Members,

On behalf of the CPWG co-chairs, we are seeking At-Large Community volunteers to consider the Final Proceeding for Proposed Language for the Draft Next Round Applicant Guidebook (AGB) recently posted for public comment by ICANN org. ICANN will host a webinar on 3 June 2025 to provide a high-level overview of the AGB and will also brief community groups who requested sessions at ICANN83.

This public comment consists of 16 questions in a guided submission form that ask whether the proposed language in each module or appendix – listed below – is consistent with ICANN Board approved SubPro recommendations. Please let us know if you are interested in reviewing a particular topic, module, or appendix. Attached are copies of the Draft AGB and Final Proceeding Guided Submission Form for your review. Please note that comments should be made on issues that have not previously been addressed via Public Comment or in discussions with the IRT.

Module 1: Applicant Journey
Module 2: Application Submission
Module 3: Community Input, Objections, and Appeals
Module 4: String Contention Resolution
Module 5: Applicant Evaluation Procedures
Module 6: Application Evaluation Procedures
Module 7: General Information
Appendix 1: Application Questions
Appendix 2: Geographic Names Evaluation Materials
Appendix 3: Financial and Operational Evaluation Materials
Appendix 4: Base RA
Appendix 5: Post-Contracting Materials
Appendix 6: Predictability Framework
Appendix 7: Conflict of Interest Process for Service Providers
Appendix 8: Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Guidelines for Service Providers
Appendix 9: Privacy Policy
Appendix 10: Terms and Conditions
Appendix 11: Applicant Support Program
Appendix 12: RSP Evaluation Program

If you are interested in volunteering to be a reviewer and/or penholder, please reach out to the CPWG Co-Chairs, Avri Doria (avri@doria.org) and Olivier Crépin-Leblond (ocl@gih.com) copying At-Large Staff (staff@atlarge.icann.org), by 18 June 2025 at 23:59 UTC or verbally volunteer at the At-Large Policy Session at ICANN83 on 09 June 2025. Below is a tentative schedule for CPWG consideration of this public comment.

Your insights and/or expertise on the subject matter for public comment would be helpful for:

Firstly, reviewing and identifying any need for the ALAC to submit a comment, and secondly, where such need arises, presenting issues - in the form of bullet points - for discussion at one or more Working Group calls.
If the Working Group subsequently reaches consensus on the need for an ALAC comment, volunteering as a penholder to craft a concise thoughtful response (i.e. an ALAC statement) to this public comment proceeding.

As this public comment proceeding will close on 23 July 2025, the proposed schedule for the above-mentioned tasks is as follows:

Community: Brief review of the AGB at ICANN83 At-Large Policy Session – 09 June 2025
Community: ICANN83 Plenary Session on the Next Round – 11 June 2025
Reviewer(s): Initial Bullet Point(s) presentation and rationale for discussion in order to establish working group consensus –CPWG call on 25 June 2025 and/or via the CPWG mailing list from 11 June through 24 June

And if needed,

Penholder(s): First Draft Statement presentation and discussion - CPWG call on 02 July 2025
Community: Comment on Draft Statement – 03 July 2025 – 08 July 2025
Penholder(s): Second Draft Statement presentation and discussion (if needed) – 09 July 2025
Community: Second comment period (if needed) – 10 July 2025 to 15 July 2025
Penholder(s): Final Draft Statement presentation – CPWG call on 16 July 2025
ALAC: Vote on Final Statement – 17 July 2025 – 22 July 2025
Staff: Submission of ALAC Statement – 23 July 2025

Your participation is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to your contributions!

Thank you.

Kind regards,

At-Large Staff

ICANN Policy Staff in support of the At-Large Community