The most recent version of the Applicant Support Program (ASP) Handbook* is available here:
The ASP is intended to make the New Generic Top-Level Domains (New gTLD) Program: Next Round accessible to applicants who want to apply for a new gTLD or operate a registry, but would be otherwise unable due to financial and resource constraints. The ASP Handbook provides a guide to applying for support for entities that plan to apply to operate a gLTD and require support to do so. The ASP Handbook includes information on application deadlines, criteria, processes, and evaluation.
The ICANN organization developed the ASP Handbook in collaboration with the Subsequent Procedures (SubPro) Implementation Review Team, to ensure that the community's recommendations and implementation guidance related to applicant support (see Final Report, Topic 17) are carried out. The program has broad support from the ICANN community as well as the ICANN Board.
Because the New gTLD Program: Next Round will be in development during the ASP application submission period, applicants are encouraged to review previously published resources in the interim. This will allow potential gTLD applicants to better understand and anticipate the requirements of the new gTLD application process, which is separate from the ASP process.
Archived Versions:
Draft ASP Handbook – version dated 10 June 2024 (based on public comments received)
Draft ASP Handbook – version dated 12 February 2024 (underwent Public Comment from 12 February 2024 to 2 April 2024)
*Please note Board adoption of the ASP Handbook is pending consultation with the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) on the ICANN80 GAC Communique.