ICANN extends deadline for support program for new domain applicants
ICANN has extended the deadline for its Applicant Support Program (ASP) to 19 December 2025, giving applicants more time to complete submissions for the next round of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs).
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has announced an extension of the submission deadline for its Applicant Support Program (ASP) under the upcoming round of new Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs). The move gives applicants more time to finalise their entries and benefit from ICANN’s financial and technical assistance.
Under the revised schedule, organisations that enter their details in the system by 19 November 2025 will have until 19 December 2025 to submit a complete application. ICANN noted that the one-month extension aims to ensure fair access and to allow adequate preparation for the next gTLD application window.
Originally set to close on 19 November, the ASP provides support for up to 45 applicants, particularly from regions or communities with limited resources to participate in the global domain market. ICANN continues to encourage early submissions before the original November deadline, warning that entities failing to register by that date will not be eligible to proceed.
The Applicant Support Program forms part of ICANN’s broader effort to expand diversity and inclusion in the Domain Name System, helping smaller organisations and underrepresented groups establish their online presence through new domain names.
For civil society, the program holds particular importance. It opens the door for NGOs, community groups, and local initiatives – often excluded by high costs and complex technical requirements – to gain visibility on the global internet infrastructure. By participating, civil-society actors can strengthen their digital identity, improve access to information, and contribute to a more balanced and inclusive internet governance ecosystem.
