ICANN selects students for NextGen programme at ICANN86

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has announced the participants selected for its NextGen@ICANN programme at the upcoming ICANN86 Policy Forum. The meeting will take place in Seville, Spain, from 8 to 11 June 2026, with options for both in-person and online participation.

The NextGen@ICANN programme is designed to introduce university students and early-career researchers to internet governance, which refers to the policies, technical coordination, and decision-making processes that keep the internet functioning globally. ICANN plays a central role in managing domain names and ensuring that internet identifiers remain stable and interoperable worldwide. Through the programme, participants gain exposure to policy discussions, technical coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

The selected participants were chosen by an independent committee based on their academic background and demonstrated interest in internet governance and related fields. The 12 selected students are currently studying at universities across Europe and represent disciplines such as engineering, political science, public governance, and technology. Their participation reflects ICANN’s ongoing efforts to engage students and introduce them to global internet coordination processes.

The ICANN86 Policy Forum is one of three major public meetings held by ICANN each year. These meetings bring together stakeholders from governments, civil society, the private sector, and the technical community to discuss policies affecting the domain name system and broader internet infrastructure. Participants in the NextGen programme are typically given opportunities to attend sessions, interact with experienced community members, and learn how internet policy decisions are developed.