ICANN Nominating Committee invites community input for the 2026 leadership selection cycle
ICANN’s Nominating Committee has opened a call for community feedback to help shape its 2026 selection process, which will appoint leaders across the ICANN Board and key advisory and supporting bodies.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Nominating Committee (NomCom) has invited the global ICANN community to provide input for its 2026 selection cycle, underscoring the Committee’s role in bringing new perspectives, independence, and balanced representation into ICANN’s leadership. As a body designed to operate free from internal politics and stakeholder dominance, the NomCom helps ensure that ICANN’s governance remains dynamic, diverse, and aligned with the Global Public Interest.
For the 2026 cycle, the NomCom seeks community feedback on several elements: the guidance and candidate job descriptions issued by the receiving bodies, and any additional skills, qualities, or considerations that should be prioritised when evaluating candidates. Submissions may address specific leadership positions or the NomCom’s overall process. All inputs will be published, and the NomCom will retain full discretion over how they inform its work.
The Committee will be selecting candidates for seven leadership roles, including two seats on the ICANN Board, one seat on the Public Technical Identifiers Board, two regional positions on the At-Large Advisory Committee, and seats on the Generic Names Supporting Organization Council and the Country Code Names Supporting Organization Council. Community members are encouraged to provide input across all stages of the process, from outreach and recruitment to interviews, evaluation, and final selection.
Submissions should include a concise summary of recommendations, indicate whether they relate to specific positions or the process as a whole, and provide supporting rationale. Names, affiliations, and stakeholder groups must be included. Inputs must be sent to nomcom-communityinput@icann.org by 21 January 2026.
NomCom leadership also highlighted that the 2026 application window will open earlier than usual, running from 18 December 2025 to 18 February 2026, and encouraged the community to share the call with potential candidates. The Committee emphasised that broad participation is essential to keeping the NomCom open, responsive, and inclusive for the global internet community.
