LOS ANGELES - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) opened a one-month nomination period for the Dr. Tarek Kamel Award for Capacity Building, according to the official website of ICANN. 

ICANN established the Dr. Tarek Kamel Award for Capacity Building in January 2020. The award recognizes ICANN community members for significant efforts in developing aptitude in areas related to ICANN's mission. The award was established in honor of the late Dr. Tarek Kamel, an Internet pioneer known for his contributions to global Internet governance. At the time of his passing, Dr. Kamel was ICANN's Senior Adviser to the President and Senior Vice President for Government and Intergovernmental Organization Engagement.

The annual award is conferred on one individual during ICANN's Annual General Meeting. The ideal recipient will have at least five years of:

• Significant contributions to national, regional, or global capacity-development programs related to ICANN's mission.
• Developing capacity-building programs that positively influenced the multistakeholder model and diversified participation at ICANN.

In addition:

• Nominations must include detailed information and documentation to demonstrate the nominee's fulfilment of the award criteria.
• Any ICANN community member or ICANN community group (e.g., Supporting Organization, Advisory Committee, or constituent group) may submit a nomination.
• Nominations must be submitted via the nomination form.
• Self-nominations are not allowed.

A cross-functional ICANN organization review panel will consider the nominations and recommend a short list of nominees to the ICANN Board. The ICANN Board of Directors will evaluate the shortlisted candidates and determine the recipient of this year's award. Please submit nominations via this nomination form by July 31, 2026, at 23:59 UTC.