LOS ANGELES - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced in a press release that it is calling for applications for the NextGen@ICANN program.

ICANN wants to hear from university students living and studying in the Latin America and Caribbean region who are interested in the future of the Internet and in participating in the ICANN76 Community Forum Meeting. ICANN76 is scheduled to be held in Cancún, Mexico from 11–16 March 2023. If ICANN76 is held virtually, the NextGen@ICANN program will also be held virtually.

What is NextGen@ICANN?
The NextGen@ICANN program provides opportunities for university students to better understand how ICANN contributes to the technical governance of the Internet and the multistakeholder model. Through an immersive program, participants will learn about topics such as the Internet ecosystem, Internet governance, and policy development at ICANN. The program also provides insight into how to engage and contribute to the work that supports the stability, resiliency, and reliability of the Internet.

NextGen@ICANN runs in conjunction with ICANN Public Meetings. It is geared towards students who are 18–30 years old and who live in the region hosting the selected ICANN meeting. Participants will be required to attend courses and presentations six weeks prior to the ICANN Public Meeting. In addition, they are expected to prepare a 10-minute presentation during the ICANN Public Meeting. Experienced mentors will support participants throughout the program.

The NextGen application window will remain open until 24 October 2022. Successful candidates will be announced on 29 November 2022 on the ICANN website.