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Applicant Support Program FAQ

GENERAL QUESTIONS

  1. What is the Applicant Support Program?

    2. The Applicant Support Program is designed to assist potential new gTLD applicants seeking both financial and non-financial support. There are three elements to this program:

    1. Access to community pro bono services for startup registries where you will find a directory created to connect potential applicants who wish to establish start up gTLD registry in their community and needs help AND organizations who wish to offer either financial or non-financial assistance.

    2. Financial assistance: Qualified applicants may receive reduction of the main New gTLD Program evaluation fee.

    3. Donate to the program. The ICANN Board has set aside US$2,000,000 as seed funding to assist needy applicants. Other organizations will be able to donate to this fund.

  2. How does the Applicant Support Program relate to the New gTLD Program and why is ICANN doing this?

    3. The Applicant Support Program is an initiative developed in addition to the New gTLD Program and it seeks to serve the global public interest by ensuring worldwide accessibility to, and competition within, the new gTLD Program.

  3. What is the Developing Economies Support Program and how does it relate to the Applicant Support Program?

    4. There is no difference. The Developing Economies Support Program (DESP) name was simply replaced by Applicant Support Program.

  4. What is the difference between a support candidate and support applicant?

    5. There is no difference. Both terms are used interchangeably used to refer to the entity that is seeking assistance within the Applicant Support Program from ICANN.

  5. What is the New gTLD Applicant Support Handbook and how it related to the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook?

    6. The New gTLD Applicant Support Handbook was developed to assist those qualified to receive a reduction in evaluation fees for the New gTLD Program. It is meant to be a step-by-step guide to applying for financial support, including information on critical deadlines, criteria, process and evaluation. The New gTLD Applicant Guidebook has all the information needed for New gTLD Applicants. Applicants for Financial Assistance should be completely familiar with the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook and must follow all the steps for new gTLD applicants outlined in this guidebook.

  6. How do I contact ICANN if I want to find more information about the Applicant Support Program?

    7. Please direct any questions about the New gTLD program, including questions about the Applicant Support Program, to newgtld@icann.org.

    If you want to be publicly identified in the Applicant Support Directory, either as an applicant seeking pro-bono services or an organization offering pro-bono services, please fill out the application forms that are available here: http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/candidate-support. For additional questions, please write to newgtld@icann.org.

    Additional Resources:

    New gTLD Financial Assistance Handbook: http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/candidate-support/financial-assistance-handbook-11jan12-en.pdf

    New gTLD Applicant Guidebook: http://newgtlds.icann.org/applicants/agb

    New gTLD Program web site: http://newgtlds.icann.org/

    Glossary of commonly used terms in the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook: http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/glossary

  7. What are the archived criteria and process documents, and how do they relate to the new gTLD Financial Assistance Handbook?

    8. The criteria and process documents were initial explanatory memos posted for community feedback. They are posted for reference. In some cases, public comment has resulted in changes to the program that are reflected in the New gTLD financial Assistance Handbook

PRO-BONO SERVICES FOR STARTUP REGISTRIES

  1. What are the pro-bono services for startup registries?

    Operating a gTLD is a technology-based service comprised of many requirements and expenses, such as acquiring equipment, establishing operations, hiring and training staff and providing customer service and so on. New gTLD applicants, including those from developing economies, in need of technical or financial information or assistance may be able to find pro bono services, in-kind support or grants from members of the ICANN community through the Applicant Support Directory.

    Examples of the types of support that organizations can provide include:

    • New gTLD Program application writing and application process
    • Logistical assistance
    • Technical help
    • Legal and filing support
    • Registry back-end services
    • Infrastructure for providing IPv6 compatibility; IPV6 compatible hardware/networks
    • DNS services
    • IDN implementation support
    • DNSSEC consulting
    • Translations
    • Training – in areas like building a sustainability plan, marketing, and operations.

  2. What is the Applicant Support Directory?

    3. The Applicant Support Directory is an online work space created to connect potential applicants who wish to establish a new public interest gTLD registry in their community with organizations who wish to offer either financial or non-financial assistance. The directory can be found here.

  3. What is ICANN's role in relation to the pro-bono services and applicant support directory?

    4. The directory of pro-bono services is provided as a courtesy by ICANN for informational purposes only. It is a free community service facilitated by ICANN. ICANN does not control the content or third party site links in any listing and does not endorse or support any organization listed. Listing information may not be current or up to date.

    The directory page is not intended to market third-party consulting services nor future new gTLD applicants or extensions. The lists of participants are composed through a self-electing process and are not validated nor endorsed by ICANN. ICANN provides no warranties and takes no responsibility for the quality, legitimacy, or connection between the parties.

    ICANN encourages all users to exercise care when dealing with any listed organization. You may report any suspicious listing or behavior to candidate-support@icann.org.

  4. How can I be part of the directory?

    5. If you want to be part of the directory either as an applicant seeking pro-bono services or an organization offering pro-bono services, please fill out the application forms that are available here: http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/candidate-support. For additional questions, please write to candidate-support@icann.org.

  5. How accurate is the directory of entities offering and seeking pro-bono support? How often it is updated?

    6. ICANN updates the directory on a weekly basis. ICANN does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. The lists of participants are composed through a self-electing process and are not validated nor endorsed by ICANN. ICANN provides no warranties and takes no responsibility for the quality, legitimacy, or connection between the parties.

  6. If I have my name on the directory and want to make a modification, what should I do?

    7. If you have your name on one of the lists (candidates seeking support and organizations offering support) and want to update your information, please write to candidate-support@icann.org and indicate on the subject line "Request to update information". An ICANN staff member will contact you to take care of the update.

  7. If I want my name removed from one of the lists on the directory, what should I do?

    8. If you have your name on one of the lists (candidates seeking support and organizations offering support) and want your information to be removed, please write to candidate-support@icann.org and indicate on the subject "Request to be removed from directory". An ICANN staff member will contact you to take care of the request.

  8. If I have a complaint or want to raise an issue against a party listed on the directory of pro-bono services, how should I proceed?

    9. The directories of participants are composed through a self-electing process and are not validated nor endorsed by ICANN. ICANN provides no warranties and takes no responsibility for the quality, legitimacy, or connection between the parties.

    The New gTLD Program will also have a dedicated public forum where people can comment on specific applicants or applications.

  9. If I am part of the directory of pro-bono services, how to avoid Internet scams and fraud?

    10. ICANN strongly recommends that you check the identity and legitimacy of any offers or requests for support. Please also check ICANN's Directory Notice here. In addition to that, there are many sources that provide safe dealings tips to avoid scams and fraud on the Internet. Here are few possible sources:

    http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
    http://www.maawg.org/
    http://www.enisa.europa.eu/act/ar/deliverables/2010/how-to-shop-safely-online/?searchterm=fraud
    http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.direct.gov.uk/en/homeandcommunity/technologyinyourhome/internettechnologies/dg_10038621
    http://www.getsafeonline.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1045
    http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud/internet_fraud
    http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/general.htm

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

  1. What kind of financial assistance does ICANN offer?

    2. ICANN offers a limited number of qualifying applicants the opportunity to pay a reduced evaluation fee of US $47,000 instead of the full New gTLD evaluation fee of US $185,000.

    In order to qualify for the fee reduction, applicants must demonstrate financial need, provide a public interest benefit, and possess the necessary management and financial capabilities. The criteria and Process details are outlined on the New gTLD Financial Assistance Handbook.

  2. Why is ICANN offering reduced application fees for certain applications?

    3. The Internet is a global resource, and the diversity, competition and innovation made possible by the New gTLD Program should provide an inclusive opportunity for all to participate. The Applicant Support Program seeks to serve the global public interest by ensuring worldwide accessibility to, and competition within, the New gTLD Program. This program offers qualified candidates the opportunity to pay a reduced evaluation fee of USD 47,000 instead of the full evaluation fee of USD 185,000.

  3. How do I know if I qualify for financial assistance?

    4. The criteria and process for financial assistance is outlined in the New gTLD Applicant Support Handbook. Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review the criteria and process before making the decision to apply for the financial assistance. Applicants for Financial Assistance should know that if they do not meet the minimum scoring threshold for financial assistance, they will be excluded from the entire New gTLD program, not just the Financial Assistance component. Applicants should be aware of this risk.

  4. What are the risks of applying for a fee reduction and having my application rejected?

    5. Applicants for Financial Assistance should know that if they do not meet the minimum scoring threshold for financial assistance, they will be excluded from the entire New gTLD program, not just the Financial Assistance component.

  5. Can individuals apply for financial assistance?

    6. No. The New gTLD Program as well as the Applicant Support Program are designed for entities that want to propose and manage a new gTLD and not individuals.

  6. When can I apply for Financial Assistance?

    7. You can find details deadlines in the New gTLD Applicant Support Handbook. The financial support application window mirrors the New gTLD application window (from 12 January 2012 to 12 April 2012). Please be aware that the deadline for the TLD Application System registration is 29 March 2012. If you do not register by this date you will not be able to apply.

  7. How long does it take for the financial assistance evaluation results to be available?

    8. 30 November 2012 is the planned date for award notification. At that point candidates will have received one of three possible notifications:

    1. Qualified (i.e., meets the threshold criteria) and fee reduction awarded.

    2. Qualified, but fee reduction not awarded. In this case, ICANN will send a staggered fee schedule to the applicant.

    3. Disqualified (i.e., does not meet the threshold criteria) and, as a result, the financial assistance AND the New gTLD Program Application are rejected.

    Note, if disposition on a Financial Assistance Application is made prior to 30 November, ICANN might, at its discretion, make the notification before that date.

  8. Why is the USD 5,000 registration fee not refundable?

    9. The USD 5,000 registration fee is required of all New gTLD applicants. It is not refundable because it covers critical administrative expenses.

  9. What questions will be asked from applicants seeking financial assistance?

    10. The questions are outlined in the New GTLD Financial Assistance Handbook. The forms to fill out will be available for download once you register in the TLD Applicant System (TAS). Please follow carefully the instructions how to upload the form back into the system.

  10. Besides the questions in the Financial Assistance forms, is there any other information required from financial assistance applicants?

    11. Financial assistance applicants will have the opportunity to provide supporting documentation that will reinforce the case and information provided on the financial assistance application forms. Please note that this is in addition to all the documents and information necessary to apply for the New gTLD Program. The financial assistance application should stand by its own.

  11. What is the SARP?

    12. SARP stands for Support Applicant Review Panel. It will be an independent review panel composed of expert volunteers and coordinated by ICANN. The SARP will determine the most deserving new gTLD applications to receive financial support. The financial assistance applications will be evaluated against established criteria outlined in the New gTLD Applicant Support Handbook.

  12. Where can I find the UNDESA list of Developing Countries?

    13. The UNDESA list of developing countries can be found here: http://webapps01.un.org/cdp/dataquery/selectCountries.action

DONATIONS TO THE PROGRAM

  1. How can I donate to the New gTLD Applicant Support Program?

    2. The financial assistance element of the Applicant Support program is made possible due to a USD 2,000,000 fund set aside by ICANN's Board.

    This initial budget is considered seed funding. ICANN will work with the community to create a process for other parties to contribute to the fund. Details about the fundraising activities will be made available in 2012.