ICANN Opens Applications for ICANN86 Community Childcare Grants Program

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has launched the application round for its Community Childcare Grants Program in preparation for the ICANN86 Policy Forum. This initiative is designed to make in-person participation more accessible for community members who have young children and plan to attend the meeting.

The ICANN86 Policy Forum is scheduled to take place from 8–11 June 2026 in Seville, Spain. Through this grant program, ICANN aims to help parents remain actively involved in discussions and policy development while managing family responsibilities during the event.

Financial Assistance for Childcare During the Meeting

The Community Childcare Grants Program offers financial assistance to eligible participants who will incur childcare expenses while attending the ICANN meeting. Grants of up to $750 per family are available to help cover costs related to babysitting or local childcare services during the event.

These funds are intended specifically for childcare arrangements in the city where the ICANN meeting takes place. The program helps ensure that participants can focus on ICANN activities while their children receive appropriate care during the meeting days. As with previous meetings, no conference-provided childcare services will be available on site, making the grant program an important resource for parents attending in person.

Eligibility Requirements and Application Timeline

The program is available to ICANN community members who are registered to attend the meeting in person and who are the parent or legal guardian of children aged 12 or younger by the first day of the ICANN Public Meeting. Childcare services supported by the grant must take place in the same city or nearby area where the meeting is held.

The application round for ICANN86 opened on 2 March 2026 and will remain open until 10 April 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Applicants will be notified about the outcome of their submissions on 24 April 2026.

Reimbursement Process and Post-Meeting Requirements

Participants who receive the grant will need to submit receipts documenting eligible childcare expenses after the meeting. These receipts must be provided no later than 26 June 2026, following the conclusion of the ICANN86 event.

Reimbursements are processed after the meeting once the required documentation has been reviewed. As part of the program requirements, recipients are also expected to complete a feedback survey about the grant program after the event.

Encouraging Broader Participation in ICANN Meetings

The Community Childcare Grants Program is part of ICANN’s broader effort to ensure that participation in its global meetings remains inclusive and accessible. By helping offset childcare costs, the initiative supports parents who want to contribute to discussions on internet governance, policy development, and the future of the Domain Name System.

Programs like this aim to remove barriers that might otherwise prevent community members from attending ICANN meetings in person, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to an open and diverse multistakeholder community.