ICANN New gTLD Program: 2026 Round Sourcing Timeline
ICANN seeks qualified vendors to support key evaluation areas for the applications of the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round.
This page outlines when 2026 Round Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Requests For Information (RFIs) and Requests For Proposals (RFPs) are planned to be issued. Each evaluation area includes a brief description of the services needed and the role vendors will play in supporting ICANN's 2026 Round of new gTLD applications. If you are (or know) a potential provider for any of the listed services, please direct indications of interest and/or inquiries to GDS-Vendor-Services@icann.org.
The timeline provided below is estimated and is subject to change based on business needs.
| Evaluation Category Title | Type | Timeline | Anticipated date for contracting |
|---|---|---|---|
Description: Facilitate auctions for contention sets where multiple applicants apply for the same gTLD, ensuring a fair and transparent resolution process. Status: RFP open for responses | RFI RFP | August 2025 April 2026 | Q3 2026
|
Financial and Operational Evaluation Description: Assess the financial stability of applicants, ensuring they possess sufficient resources to operate a gTLD registry. Status: RFP open for responses | RFP | May 2026 | Q3 2026
|
Description: Independent third-party vendor to assess and, where appropriate file objections as part of the New gTLD Program dispute resolution process, which is designed to protect certain interests and rights. Status: EOI open for responses | Expression of Interest (EOI) | March 2026 | Q3 2026 |
Name Collision: Initial Assessment of Applied-for Strings Description: Identify high-risk strings using both quantitative data from the name collision observatory and qualitative analysis to determine potential end-user impacts. For each assessed string, an Initial Evaluation Report shall be submitted describing the outcome of the assessment, its methodology and the findings. | RFP | June 2026 | Q4 2026 |
Name Collision: High Risk String Mitigation Plan Review Description: Review applicants' mitigation plans for high-risk strings, ensuring effective strategies are in place before being approved for contracting and delegation. | RFP | July 2026 | Q4 2026 |
Trademark Database (TMDB) Description: Maintain and operate a centralized repository of verified trademarks to support rights protection mechanisms. | RFP | Q1 2027 | Q2 2027 |
Trademark Clearinghouse (TMCH) Description: Mechanism that enables trademark holders to protect their rights during the DNS expansion and functions by authenticating information from rights holders and providing this information to registries and registrars. | RFP | Q1 2027 | Q2 2027 |
Closed for Submissions
| Evaluation Category Title | Type | Timeline | Contract Execution Date |
|---|---|---|---|
Support Applicant Review Panel (SARP) Description: Assemble one or more SARPs that will conduct evaluations of all Applicant Support Program (ASP) applications received from 19 November 2024 through 19 November 2025. Status: Provider selected | RFP | February 2024 | February 2025 |
Dispute Resolution Service Provider (DRSP) Description: Administer the resolution of disputes arising from valid objection grounds, adjudicate on potential appeals to their determinations from the parties, and provide mediation services to the parties, if requested. Status: Providers selected | RFP | March 2025 | June 2025 |
Community Priority Evaluation (CPE) Description: Determine whether a community-based application fulfills the CPE criteria and should receive priority in the contention set. Status: Provider selected | RFP | August 2025 | March 2026 |
String Similarity & Variant Strings String Similarity Description: Conduct algorithmic and linguistic evaluations of applied-for gTLDs, identifying similarities that could cause user confusion and ensuring unique and distinguishable strings. Variant Strings Description: Ensure that any applied-for gTLD variant string meets the minimal community needs, given caution by the technical community to reduce the variant strings being delegated. Status: RFP closed for responses | RFI RFP | June 2025 February 2026 | Q2 2026 |
Description: Conduct comprehensive due diligence on applicants, ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria, including criminal history checks and business due diligence. Status: RFP closed for responses | RFP | November 2025 | Q2 2026 |
Description: Ensures the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of application evaluations by developing and implementing robust quality control processes for the next round. Status: RFP closed for responses | RFP | January 2026 | Q2 2026 |
Description: Assess proposed gTLDs for security, stability, and public safety concerns, ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place to mitigate potential risks. Status: RFP closed for responses | RFP | March 2026 | Q2 2026 |
Geographic Names Panel and Reserved Names Panel Geographic Names Description: Determine whether each applied-for gTLD string represents a Geographic Name, and verify the relevance and authenticity of the supporting documentation where necessary. Evaluate the geographic string check and the geographic verification for those names determined to be geographic. Status: RFP closed for responses | RFI RFP | August 2025 February 2026 | Q2 2026 |
Name Collision: Temporary Delegation Description: For the purpose of temporary delegation of applied-for strings, provide a zone management system, a reporting tool and servers set up for data collection using the four methods for data collection outlined in appendix 2 of the NCAP2 study report. Status: RFP closed for responses | RFP | February 2026 | Q2 2026 |
Third-Party Providers
The following table lists the third-party providers currently used by the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round and provides links to the privacy policies for each third-party service provider and a summary of the personal data shared with them. The table will be updated on a regular basis as third-party providers are selected or replaced.
| Third-Party Provider | Purpose and Use | Link to Providers Privacy Policy | Personal Data shared | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant Support Program (ASP) | ||||
| RSM US LLP | Support Applicant Review Panel | https://rsmus.com/pages/rsm-us-privacy-policy.html | ASP applicant information (including personal data as detailed in the Appendix 9 New gTLD Program: 2026 Round Privacy Policy of the New gTLD Program) | RSM is headquartered in Chicago, IL but has locations across the United States and internationally. |
| Refinitiv US LLC (LSEG is the parent company) | ASP Background Screening | https://thesource.lseg.com/thesource/getfile/index/a8b18d98-e509-403a-bb01-b33d3a80ada1 | Names, Address, Year of Birth, Country of Residence, Titles. | LSEG is headquartered in London, England with offices worldwide. |
| Registry Service Operator Evaluation Program | ||||
| Refinitiv US LLC (LSEG is the parent company) | RSP Background Screening | https://thesource.lseg.com/thesource/getfile/index/a8b18d98-e509-403a-bb01-b33d3a80ada1 | Names, Address, Year of Birth, Country of Residence, Titles. | LSEG is headquartered in London, England with offices worldwide. |
| Objections and Appeals | ||||
| International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) | Dispute Resolution Service Provider for Limited Public Interest and Community objections and appeals | https://iccwbo.org/icc-data-privacy-notice-for-icc-dispute-resolution-proceedings/ | Refer to Appendix 9 New gTLD Program: 2026 Round Privacy Policy of the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round Applicant Guidebook. Dispute Resolution Service Providers will collect information from both applicants and objectors (and their representatives if applicable), noting that objectors may not necessarily be applicants themselves; the data shared includes, but is not limited to, the names and contact information (address, telephone number, email address, etc.) of the objector and the applicant (and their representatives if applicable). | ICC is based in France. Panelists may be located anywhere in the world. |
| World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | Dispute Resolution Service Provider for Legal Rights and String Confusion objections and appeals | https://www.wipo.int/en/web/privacy-policy | Refer to Appendix 9 New gTLD Program: 2026 Round Privacy Policy of the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round Applicant Guidebook. Dispute Resolution Service Providers will collect information from both applicants and objectors (and their representatives if applicable), noting that objectors may not necessarily be applicants themselves; the data shared includes, but is not limited to, the names and contact information (address, telephone number, email address, etc.) of the objector and the applicant (and their representatives if applicable). | WIPO is an Intergovernmental Organization and specialized agency of the United Nations based in Switzerland. Panelists appointed by WIPO may be located anywhere in the world. |
| Independent Objectors | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| String Evaluations | ||||
| TBD | String Similarity Evaluation | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Safeguard Assessment | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Name Collision Initial Assessment | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Variant String Evaluation | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Applicant Evaluations | ||||
| TBD | Background Screening | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Financial and Operational Evaluation | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Application Evaluations | ||||
| TBD | Geographic Names Review | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Reserved Names Review | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Name Collision High-Risk Mitigation Plan Evaluation | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Contention Resolution | ||||
| Analysys Mason Limited | Community Priority Evaluation | https://www.analysysmason.com/privacy-policy/ | Names, Address, Year of Birth, Country of Residence, Titles. | Analysys Mason is headquartered in Europe but has offices across the Asia-Pacific, Americas, and the Middle East and Africa covering 140+ countries for client projects. |
| TBD | Auctions | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Other | ||||
| Computer Services, Inc. (CSI - WatchDog) | CSI - Watchdog performs Legal Compliance checks for the Program. | https://www.csiweb.com/privacy-policy/ | Names, Address, Year of Birth, Country of Residence, Titles. | Headquartered in Paducah, KY with locations around the United States. |
| TBD | Quality Control | TBD | TBD | |
| TBD | Temporary Delegation | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Escrow | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Once ICANN is no longer actively sourcing for an evaluation area, the status will indicate such on this page. For full details about all closed and currently open RFQs, RFIs and RFPs, please consult the ICANN Requests for Proposals (RFPs) page.