June 2026 - SubPro-IRT - lists.icann.org

Expression of Interest for Independent Objectors
by Elisa Busetto June 26, 2026

June 26, 2026

Dear All, On 9 March, we launched<https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/call-for-expressions-of-inte…> an Expression of Interest<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/2026-round-independent-objector…> (EOI) to identify three individuals to serve as Independent Objectors (IOs) for the 2026 Round. The original deadline of 20 April was subsequently extended<https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-extends-deadline-for-e…> to 11 May. ICANN has undertaken several outreach efforts to promote the EOI, including a paid social media campaign and targeted communications to key groups. Despite these efforts, uptake has been a challenge. For context, the approach for IOs was discussed with the IRT during Meeting #173<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/EoD-L>, following which ICANN shared the details of its planned approach in this email<https://lists.icann.org/hyperkitty/list/subpro-irt@icann.org/thread/LMJ7U5A…>. Ensuring that the three IOs are identified, contracted, and trained is a prerequisite for String Confirmation Day to happen, which is when the objections filing window will open. As you are probably aware, we currently project String Confirmation Day to be around the end of October, although the exact timing will depend on several factors, including the number of applications received. While ICANN has built additional time into the timeline for procuring IOs, similar to other Requests for Interest and Proposal, we are addressing the uptake challenge in the near term to avoid any impact on the overall Program timeline. In this context, we will make the following adjustments to the EOI: 1. Further extend the submission deadline to 1 June. 2. Expand the pool of potential candidates by: * Allowing firms, in addition to individuals, to serve as IOs. While we recognize the potential conflicts of interest concerns this may raise, we believe these will be mitigated by having three IOs; where one individual or firm is conflicted, another IO could review the relevant applications. * Removing the selection criterion requiring “[c]onsiderable experience and respect in the Internet community”. Best regards, Elisa

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CPE Evaluation Guide and Panel Process Procedures Published
by Michael Karakash June 24, 2026

June 24, 2026

Dear IRT, The CPE Evaluation Guide and Panel Process Procedures document has been published on the 2026 Round website and is accessible from the 2026 Round Resources<https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-rounds/round2/resources> page, or directly here<https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/cpe-vendor-e…>. A public announcement will follow later today. Thank you! Best, Michael

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Updated ASP Statistics - June 2026
by Samantha Mancia June 23, 2026

June 23, 2026

Dear SubPro IRT Members, I hope you are well. I am writing to let you know that the ASP Statistics have been updated on the website<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-…> as of 19 June 2026. Please find a summary of the changes since last month below: ASP Application Status Metrics * Submitted * Total: 25 * Change over last month: -7 (status progressed from submitted to evaluation completed) * Evaluation Completed * Total: 50 * Change over last month: +6 * Withdrawn * Total: 3 * Change over last month: +1 * Terminated * Total: 0 * Change over last month: N/A ASP Applications Evaluation Results * Conditionally Approved (pending payment) * Total: 11 * Change over last month: -5 (progressed to “Fully Approved”) * Fully Approved (payment received) * Total: 38 * Change over last month: +11 * Not Eligible for Support* * Total: 1 * Change over last month: N/A * Please note that "Not Eligible for Support" includes applications that may still be eligible for extended evaluation, therefore this number could change. You can find additional detail and breakdowns by region and eligible entity type on the ASP statistics webpage [newgtldprogram.icann.org]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-…>. Kind Regards, Samantha Mancia New gTLD Program Manager Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Office Telephone: +1 310 301 5800 www.icann.org<http://www.icann.org>

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Draft CPE Evaluation Guide and Panel Process & Procedures
by Michael Karakash June 18, 2026

June 18, 2026

Dear IRT Members, Attached is a single PDF combining the CPE Evaluation Guide and the CPE Panel Process & Procedures, along with a redlined version of the CPE Evaluation Guide for reference. Absent any substantive concerns, we plan to publish these documents early next week and will follow up once the announcement and links are live. Thank you! Best, Michael

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Post call | SubPro IRT Meeting #175 | 11 June 2026 | ICANN86
by Next Round Policy Implementation June 18, 2026

June 18, 2026

Dear All, The recordings for Meeting #175 of the SubPro IRT held on Thursday, 11 June 2026 at ICANN86 are published on the meeting wiki page<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQB5Ow>. These include: * Audio recording * Zoom recording (including audio, visual, rough transcript, chat) * Attendance For additional information, you may consult the mailing list archives<https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/subpro-irt/> and the main wiki page<https://community.icann.org/x/pQM5Dg>. Best regards, Renate

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Call Lars!
by Anne ICANN June 11, 2026

June 11, 2026

Need to solve a problem in the middle of the night? Call Lars! Unsure how policy will come to light? Just tell Lars to take a flight.... To LA that is. Which conference room in LA bears his name? We can't say yet but just the same, That day will come - cause he's not dumb. So put up your thumb and vote for Lars. Are you feeling off, man? Call the Hoff Man. He'll cheer you up, he'll fill your cup with Positivity. He's got a proclivity - for sensitivity. So calm your fears, dry up those tears, Cause the Hoff Man always hears you. Although we know he's going away, Let's kill our pride and beg him to stay Because there's bound to come a day When the SPIRT needs the Hoff Man To lead the way! Alas this change came too soon. Feels like it happened at high noon - Like watching a shootout in a bloody saloon. Feels like we're sending Lars off to the moon... Yes, let me tell you honey, We've all been relying on this Energizer Bunny. Now he's moving up and that ain't funny. Still, Lars, we trust your future is bright and sunny! But don't be a stranger Lars - (that is, no stranger than you already are.) All the best, Anne Anne Aikman-Scalese GNSO Councilor NomCom Non-Voting 2022-2026 anneicanngnso(a)gmail.com

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REMINDER | SubPro IRT Meeting #175 | 11 June 2026, 09:45-11:15 UTC / 11:45-13:15 CET / ICANN86
by Next Round Policy Implementation June 11, 2026

June 11, 2026

Dear All, Meeting #175 of the SubPro IRT will be held in one hour on 11 June 2026 at 09:45-11:15 UTC / 11:45-13:15 CET [local time<https://tinyurl.com/bu8kep47>] during ICANN86 in Seville, Spain, in a hybrid format. Up-to-date information on the session will be published here<https://icann86.sched.com/event/2NQRP/gds-subsequent-procedures-irt>, and the agenda here<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQB5Ow>. More information on ICANN86 can be found here<https://icann86.sched.com/>. Before the meeting, please ensure you have read the ICANN Expected Standards of Behavior<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/expected-standards-2016-06-28-en>, the ICANN Community Anti-Harassment Policy<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/community-anti-harassment-policy-2017…> and the ICANN Community Code of Conduct<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-icann-community-partici…> In addition, we would like to remind participants that to ensure transparency of participation in ICANN's multistakeholder model, we ask that you sign in to Zoom sessions using your full name. For example, First Name and Last Name or Surname. You may be removed from the session if you do not sign in using your full name. Please let us know ahead of time should you be unable to attend the meeting. A recording will be made available. We remain at your disposal should you have any questions. Best regards, Renate

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REMINDER | SubPro IRT Meeting #175 | 11 June 2026, 09:45-11:15 UTC / 11:45-13:15 CET / ICANN86
by Next Round Policy Implementation June 10, 2026

June 10, 2026

Dear All, Meeting #175 of the SubPro IRT will be held in 24 hours on 11 June 2026 at 09:45-11:15 UTC / 11:45-13:15 CET [local time<https://tinyurl.com/bu8kep47>] during ICANN86 in Seville, Spain, in a hybrid format. Up-to-date information on the session will be published here<https://icann86.sched.com/event/2NQRP/gds-subsequent-procedures-irt>, and the agenda here<https://icann-community.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AQB5Ow>. More information on ICANN86 can be found here<https://icann86.sched.com/>. Before the meeting, please ensure you have read the ICANN Expected Standards of Behavior<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/expected-standards-2016-06-28-en>, the ICANN Community Anti-Harassment Policy<https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/community-anti-harassment-policy-2017…> and the ICANN Community Code of Conduct<https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/adopted-icann-community-partici…> In addition, we would like to remind participants that to ensure transparency of participation in ICANN's multistakeholder model, we ask that you sign in to Zoom sessions using your full name. For example, First Name and Last Name or Surname. You may be removed from the session if you do not sign in using your full name. Please let us know ahead of time should you be unable to attend the meeting. A recording will be made available. We remain at your disposal should you have any questions. Best regards, Renate

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Sub Pro IRT Meeting #175 in Seville - Agenda
by Anne ICANN June 9, 2026

June 9, 2026

Hi Elisa and Jared, Regarding the agenda for the meeting in Seville, I wanted to raise two points: 1. Could we please add a review of any changes to the Community Priority Evaluation Guidelines which staff is recommending based on public comment received? It would be good to see these changes in redline before the meeting. 2. Regarding the agenda item for IO procedures, I have pasted below an email from IRT Meeting #173 and have bolded the relevant input. Could you please be sure to address these two points in our meeting in Seville? Thank you, Anne From: *Anne ICANN* <anneicanngnso(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 4:11 PM Subject: Re: [SubPro-IRT] Post call | SubPro IRT Meeting #173 | 29 January 2026 To: Next Round Policy Implementation < NextRound_PolicyImplementation(a)icann.org> Cc: subpro-irt(a)icann.org <subpro-irt(a)icann.org> Thank you Elisa. I reviewed the Zoom - good discussion and excellent points were raised. Thank you to staff for your willingness to reconsider. Agree that *IO should be able to participate in remedies to address Objection before filing. * IO must always act in the public interest so there should not be a big COI risk in that process, although transparency safeguards seem appropriate as mentioned. I also support what I believe to be Susan's comment that COI of the *IO should be able to be raised with DRSP AFTER the filing of an IO Objection. * Separately, for the next meeting, could you please consider avoiding the 4 am Pacific time slot? Thank you, Anne Anne Aikman-Scalese GNSO Councilor NomCom Non-Voting 2022-2026 anneicanngnso(a)gmail.com

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