ICANN Pushes Back Applicant Support Program Deadline to December 2025

ICANN has announced that it is extending the submission deadline for its Applicant Support Program (ASP) under the upcoming new gTLD round. Entities that input their organizational information by 19 November 2025 will now have until 19 December 2025 to submit a full application.

This adjustment provides extra time for applicants to complete their submissions and access available support resources. ICANN also notes that this one-month extension allows the organization to better prepare internally and manage external processes leading up to the gTLD application window.

Why the Extension Matters

The original plan was for the ASP application period to close on 19 November 2025, allowing supported applicants to have adequate time to benefit from non-financial assistance. By extending to 19 December 2025, ICANN aims to maintain flexibility and fairness in the process.

However, ICANN strongly encourages applicants to submit their complete ASP applications by 19 November. Doing so gives them a stronger chance of securing one of the 45 slots of support. If an applicant fails to enter organizational information by 19 November, they won’t be able to move forward in this cycle.

ASP’s Role in the Next gTLD Round

The ASP is designed to help entities that might otherwise be excluded from applying due to financial or resource constraints, by offering both financial and non-financial assistance. The goal is to bring more diversity and utility into the Domain Name System (DNS).

Support may include access to pro bono professional services, a capacity development program, an applicant counselor to guide through the application, discounts on evaluation fees, and other resources. Qualifying for ASP does not guarantee success in the gTLD application itself — applicants still must participate when the Next Round opens.

Looking Ahead

The Next Round of gTLD applications is expected to open in April 2026, running approximately 12–15 weeks. ICANN is finalizing key internal processes, including the Applicant Guidebook and operational systems, to support the expanded application period.

By extending the ASP deadline, ICANN gives applicants extra runway to be ready for the next phase while striving to make the DNS more inclusive and accessible.