ICANN Extends Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 2026 Round Independent Objectors

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has extended the deadline to respond to its call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to identify three individuals or entities to serve as Independent Objectors in the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: 2026 Round. The application window will remain open until all roles have been filled. ICANN will actively review submissions, conduct interviews, and begin to contract with selected candidates while the window is open and highly recommends that interested providers not wait to apply.

The Independent Objectors will file Community and Limited Public Interest objections and appeals and participate in mediation, where appropriate, after the filing of the objection. While an individual Independent Objector may be affiliated with a firm, if selected, that individual will be ultimately responsible for the processes described in this EOI. Individuals from the same firm will not be considered.

The 2026 Round includes an objection process, which affords certain parties an opportunity to advance arguments on different grounds against identified applications for new gTLDs. Objections also may be filed by Independent Objectors, who do not act on behalf of any particular person or entity, but solely in the interest of the public (i.e., global Internet users).

To mitigate possible conflict-of-interest issues that may arise from having a single panelist serve as the Independent Objector, there will be a standing panel of three Independent Objectors, one of whom will act as chair. Neither the ICANN organization nor the ICANN Board has authority to direct or require the Independent Objectors to file or not file any particular objection.

If an individual Independent Objector determines that an objection should be filed, that Independent Objector will initiate and pursue the objection in the public interest.

This is a public EOI, which means that anyone may participate. For a complete overview of this EOI, including the timeline, please consult this webpage.

Expressions of interest should be emailed to [email protected] and provide the following information:

• Individual or company name.
• Contact name (if applicable) and email address.

Official responses to this EOI should be electronically submitted using ICANN's sourcing tool. Access to this tool may be requested via the same email address.

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