ICANN would like to acknowledge and thank members of the Support Applicant Review Panel (SARP) for their service to the Applicant Support Program (ASP). The work, the time and the dedication this independent volunteer panel exhibited is greatly appreciated.
ICANN first sought volunteers to serve on the panel in 2011. Some 80 individuals from around the word encompassing a broad range of expertise volunteered. Five were selected. Collectively they have experience in the domain name industry, in managing small businesses, awarding grants, and assisting others on financial matters in developing countries.
The panel was asked to review applications for financial support. Applicants were evaluated based on the following criteria:
- public interest benefit
- financial need
- financial capabilities
The Applicant Support Program was designed to make the new gTLD application process as inclusive and affordable as possible for new gTLD applicants. It sprung from a Board-initiated, community-based Working Group that was tasked with developing a sustainable approach in support of New gTLD applicants in need of financial and operational assistance. The Joint Applicant Support (JAS) Working Group provided much of the direction and rationale for the Applicant Support Program which was subsequently approved by the Board in January 2012.
View SARP Member Biographies [PDF, 55 KB].