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| The '''Applicant Support Program''' ('''ASP''') is an ICANN initiative within the New gTLD Program to lower barriers for entities that want to apply for and operate a new generic top-level domain but lack resources. It combines financial relief with capacity-building and pro bono assistance, and runs as a pre-application process ahead of upcoming application windows.<ref>[https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-rounds/round2/asp Applicant Support Program (Next Round)] — ICANN. Retrieved 2 August 2025.</ref> | | The '''Applicant Support Program''' ('''ASP''') is an [[ICANN]] initiative within the [[New gTLD Program]] to lower barriers for entities that want to apply for and operate a new [[Generic Top-Level Domain]] but lack resources. It combines financial relief with capacity-building and pro bono assistance, and runs as a pre-application process ahead of upcoming application windows. It opened on November 19, 2024 and is expected to close at November 19, 2025.<ref>[https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-rounds/round2/asp Applicant Support Program (Next Round)] — ICANN. Retrieved 2 August 2025.</ref> |
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| | == ASP Providers in 2025 == |
| | ICANNWiki is a collaborator in the ASP initiative, and serves as a repository for providers and their services. Each provider below has a section describing their qualifications and services offered. |
| | <div style="-webkit-column-count:3;column-count:3;"> |
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| | category = Applicant Support Program 2025 Volunteer |
| | titleonly = true |
| | ordermethod = title |
| | </dpl> |
| | </div> |
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| == Background == | | == Background == |
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| == Next Round (2024–2026) == | | == Next Round (2024–2026) == |
| For the New gTLD Program: Next Round, the ASP's window is from 19 November 2024 to 19 November 2025, ahead of the projected gTLD application window opening in April 2026. The ASP remains a separate, earlier process; qualifying for support does not itself approve a gTLD application.<ref>[https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-rounds/round2/asp Applicant Support Program (Next Round)] — ICANN. Retrieved 2 August 2025.</ref><ref>[https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en/application-rounds/round2 New gTLD Program: Next Round] — ICANN. Retrieved 2 August 2025.</ref>
| | Support includes: |
| | | * An ASP training program |
| Support now includes: an ASP training/capacity-development track; access to pro bono service providers; resources on operating a registry; access to Applicant Counselors; a 75–85% reduction in program evaluation fees; a contention-resolution bid credit as defined in the AGB; and reduced base registry operator fees if the applicant ultimately contracts and delegates.<ref>[https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/next-round-asp-handbook-09aug24-en.pdf Applicant Support Program Handbook] (9 Aug 2024), secs. 2.1 & 6. Retrieved 2 August 2025.</ref> The draft AGB fee schedule sets the base evaluation fee at US$227,000 for standard applicants, while qualified ASP applicants pay an estimated US$34,500–US$56,750 (including a US$2,500 deposit), depending on the number of supported applicants and applicable reductions.<ref>[https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/policy-development/topic-15-application-fees-14-02-2025-en.pdf Next Round Applicant Guidebook (Topic 15: Application Fees)] (14 Feb 2025), §1–1.2. Retrieved 2 August 2025.</ref> SARP evaluations for this cycle are administered by RSM US LLP under contract with ICANN.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-announces-the-support-applicant-review-panel-provider-for-asp-10-02-2025-en ICANN announces SARP provider for ASP: RSM US LLP] (10 Feb 2025). Retrieved 2 August 2025.</ref><ref>[https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/sarp-asp-evaluation-guide-28feb25-en.pdf SARP ASP Evaluation Guide] (28 Feb 2025). Retrieved 2 August 2025.</ref>
| | * Access to pro bono (volunteer) service providers |
| | * Resources and information to understand the New gTLD Program and what it means to operate a gTLD |
| | * Access to Applicant Counselors |
| | * A 75–85% reduction in New gTLD Program evaluation fees |
| | * A bid credit applied to supported applicants participating in contention resolution procedures established in the Next Round Applicant Guidebook |
| | * Reduced base Registry Operator fees if the supported applicant proceeds to contracting and delegation<ref>[https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/sites/default/files/documents/next-round-asp-handbook-09aug24-en.pdf Applicant Support Program Handbook] (9 Aug 2024). Retrieved 2 August 2025.</ref> |
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| == References == | | == References == |
| {{reflist}} | | {{reflist}} |