https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/icann-provides-resources-for-public-c... On 30 May 2025, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) met a major milestone in the effort to open the next round of applications for the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: It published the complete draft Applicant Guidebook (AGB)<https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/policy-development/new-gtld-program-next-...> for Public Comment<https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/final-proceeding-for-prop...>. This marks the last in a series of Public Comment proceedings<https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-rounds/round2/agb/resources> on proposed language for the guidebook. ICANN has developed additional resources related to previous Public Comment proceedings and discussions with the Subsequent Procedures Implementation Review Team (IRT) to assist the community in its review of the draft AGB. Specifically, ICANN community members may wish to review the Public Comment Compilation document<https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/policy-development/compilation-of-public-...>, which provides a complete listing of previous comments received on draft AGB language and responses from the ICANN organization (org). The community can review previous versions of AGB language<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SPIR/pages/262045703/5.+AG...> and listen to IRT meetings by visiting the IRT wiki<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SPIR/overview?homepageId=1...>. Additionally, the community may wish to read the recent blog<https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/update-on-new-gtld-program-next-round...> on the status of the next round, which includes information regarding readiness materials<https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-rounds/round2/agb/resources>. These materials were created to provide information about the AGB, and the topics therein, with the goal to make the AGB more accessible and easier to understand. ICANN org recently completed two webinars and has had numerous discussions with ICANN community groups on the draft AGB. These presentations<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SPIR/pages/320799166/ICANN...> should prove to be a valuable resource to the community as it reviews the draft AGB. Please see the links to those discussions provided below. Date Title / Session Link 3 June 2025 Draft AGB Overview Webinar 1<https://icann.zoom.us/rec/play/e0XTugMmPcr-GT0JRyLG6iDnlr-hi0oSR03lL6Yi8EuFE...> 3 June 2025 Draft AGB Overview Webinar 2<https://icann.zoom.us/rec/play/QD4LlIQ9vRzGe3Ul9swVoKnScJ8Wf5H7vtgC0ybAHkKn4...> 9 June 2025 Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) Registrar Stakeholder Group Membership Meeting https://sched.co/246RT 9 June 2025 Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Capacity Development Session https://sched.co/246Qw 9 June 2025 GAC: Discussion on New gTLD Program Next Round https://sched.co/246Qr 10 June 2025 GNSO Noncommercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG) Membership Meeting https://sched.co/246YJ 10 June 2025 GNSO Registry Stakeholder Group (RySG) GeoTLD Group Membership Working Session https://sched.co/246Yz 10 June 2025 GNSO RySG Brand Registry Group: DotBrand Use Cases/Key Insights for the Next Round https://sched.co/246XF 11 June 2025 At-Large Plenary 1: Unravelling The Next Round of New gTLDs for Community-Based Top-Level Domains Applicants https://sched.co/246Xp 11 June 2025 Business Constituency Membership Work Session https://sched.co/246YV Following the close of the Public Comment period, ICANN org will work with the IRT to make any necessary updates to the AGB. It is important that the community's input focus on issues not previously addressed, as this will help to ensure timely delivery of the draft AGB to the ICANN Board. The Board will review the AGB and consider it for adoption by the fourth quarter of 2025. As detailed in the implementation plan<https://newgtlds.icann.org/sites/default/files/new-gtld-next-round-implement...>, the application submission period for the Next Round is scheduled to open in April 2026. According to Subsequent Procedure recommendations, the AGB must be published at least four months before the opening of the application submission period. ICANN org would like to thank the members of the Subsequent Procedures IRT for the hundreds of hours spent on the draft AGB language as well as the ICANN community for its reviews and comments on this document. As the official rulebook for the program, the AGB is essential to the opening of the next round of new gTLD applications by April 2026.