The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has opened the second application period for the Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program as part of the New Generic Top-Level Domains
(gTLD) Program: 2026 Round. The second application period for the RSP Evaluation Program runs from 30 April to 12 August 2026.
The RSP Evaluation Program streamlines the evaluation of gTLD applications by separating the evaluation of the technical aspects of operating a gTLD from the application for the label. RSPs support registry operators
by providing critical back-end services, including Domain Name System (DNS) services, performing the cryptographic operations required of DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC), and providing registration data via the Registration Data Access Protocol (RDAP), plus
other services outlined in the RSP Handbook.
The program ensures that RSPs meet the technical requirements to operate the back end of a gTLD. Once successfully evaluated, an RSP does not need to repeat the evaluation process, regardless of the number of
services it provides or the number of gTLDs it supports.
All gTLD applicants must identify at least one RSP that has been successfully evaluated through the program. This RSP would agree to support their application if it proceeds to delegation. In some cases, the RSP
may be the applicant itself; in other cases, services may be provided by a third-party RSP.
This second application period runs in parallel with the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round application submission window, and may potentially expand the pool of evaluated providers on the List
of Evaluated RSPs. Organizations that complete evaluation during this period will join RSPs approved in the pre-evaluation application period that concluded in May 2025. No further application periods will be opened for the RSP Evaluation Program for the
2026 Round.
More information about the RSP Evaluation Program, including the handbook, application fees, and access to the RSP Portal, is available on the program webpage.
Recordings and supporting materials from ICANN Public Meetings and webinars are also available. Please contact ICANN Global Support at globalsupport@icann.org with any questions about this program.