LOS ANGELES - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will host a webinar to introduce the complete draft Applicant Guidebook for the New Generic Top-Level Domains Program: Next Round. To accommodate multiple time zones, the interactive session will be offered twice on June 3, 2025. The aim is to prepare the ICANN community for the final Public Comment proceeding on proposed language for the Applicant Guidebook. The proceeding is expected to open on May 30, 2025 and close on July 23, 2025, a press release stated by ICANN.

The community has had an opportunity to weigh in on draft sections of the Applicant Guidebook as it was being developed. While there have been four Public Comment periods, this is envisaged to be the only time that the entire draft guidebook will be open for review and input.

Beginning with a high-level overview of the applicant journey, the interactive webinar session will delve into topics such as Community Priority Evaluation, contention set resolution, fees, and community input, including objection and appeals.