LOS ANGELES - The New Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Program: Next Round has the potential to foster diversity, encourage competition, and enhance the utility of the Domain Name System (DNS). It is important to community members of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) because it ensures that efforts are made to minimize competitive disadvantages for new potential applicants, especially applicants working in the public interest with financial need, a press release stated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

ICANN is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from pro bono service providers for the Applicant Support Program (ASP). This program is a complementary initiative of the New gTLD Program: Next Round. The ASP seeks to serve the global public interest by increasing global diversity, ensuring worldwide accessibility to, and competition within, the new gTLD Program: Next Round.

The ASP evaluates potential new gTLD applicants that demonstrate financial need and intend to support the public interest. Qualifying applicants may receive:

• A 75–85 percent reduction in application and evaluation fees
• Access to pro bono services providers to assist with developing their gTLD application in relation to general business services, application services, and technical services
• A bid credit/multiplier when participating in an ICANN Auction of Last Reso