http://newgtlds.icann.org/en/applicants/candidate-support ICANN seeks to increase global diversity and representation across regions within the new gTLD Program. The new gTLD Program has the potential to increase competition and choice in the domain name market, and it is important to ICANN community members to ensure that efforts are made to minimize any competitive disadvantage for those in developing economies. The Applicant Support Program is an initiative developed in addition to the New gTLD Program and it seeks to serve the global public interest by ensuring worldwide accessibility to, and competition within, the new gTLD Program. The Applicant Support Program assists potential new gTLD applicants seeking both financial and non-financial support. There are three ways to participate in this program. Access to pro bono services for startup gTLD registries: The Applicant Support Directory is an online work space providing access to community pro bono services. The directory was created to connect potential applicants who wish to establish a new public interest gTLD registry in their community with organizations who wish to offer either financial or non-financial assistance. Learn more Apply for financial assistance: Qualified applicants may receive reduced evaluation fees. Refer to the Financial Assistance Handbook for guidelines and criteria on how to apply for reduced fees. Learn more Important Notice: Financial Assistance is dedicated to truly deserving new gTLD applicants. Those applications from entities that apply for financial assistance and do not meet the threshold criteria will be disqualified from the new gTLD program and may not be eligible for a refund. Donate to the Applicant Support Program. The ICANN Board has set aside US$2,000,000 as seed funding to assist needy applicants. Other organizations will be able to donate to this fund. Learn More For more information about the Applicant Support Program, please see our FAQs. Access to pro bono services for startup registries Operating a gTLD is a technology-based service comprised of many requirements and expenses, such as acquiring equipment, establishing operations, hiring and training staff and providing customer service. New gTLD applicants, including those from developing economies, in need of technical or financial information or assistance may be able to find pro bono services, in-kind support or grants from members of the ICANN community through the Applicant Support Directory. The Applicant Support Directory is an online work space created to connect potential applicants who wish to establish a new public interest gTLD registry in their community with organizations who wish to offer either financial or non-financial assistance. The directory can be found here. Enroll now as one of the following: Applicant seeking pro bono assistance Provider of pro bono assistance Examples of the types of support organizations can provide include: New gTLD Program application writing and application process Logistical assistance Technical help Legal and filing support Registry back-end services Infrastructure for providing IPv6 compatibility; IPV6 compatible hardware/networks DNS services IDN implementation support DNSSEC consulting Translations Training – in areas like building a sustainability plan, marketing, and operations. Organizations offering to provide assistance should be as specific as possible about their services in order to aid applicants in finding the appropriate type of help. Organizations participating in this space are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date. Requests for updates or removal from the directory should be sent via e-mail to candidate-support@icann.org. See FAQ for more details. Important: This page is not intended to market third-party consulting services nor future new gTLD applicants or extensions. The lists of participants are composed through a self-electing process and are not validated nor endorsed by ICANN. ICANN provides no warranties and takes no responsibility for the quality, legitimacy, or connection between the parties. The Applicant Support Site is provided as a courtesy by ICANN for informational purposes only. The Applicant Support Directory is a free community service facilitated by ICANN. ICANN does not control the content or third party site links in any listing and does not endorse or support any organization listed. Listing information may not be current or up to date. Please read and be aware of the Terms of Use that apply to any access or use of the Applicant Support Site. ICANN encourages all users to exercise care when dealing with any listed organization. Please check the FAQ for more details about the directory. You may report any suspicious listing or behavior to candidate-support@icann.org. Apply for financial assistance The Internet is a global resource, and the diversity, competition and innovation made possible by the new gTLD Program should provide an inclusive opportunity for all to participate. This part of the Applicant Support Program will allow a limited number of qualifying applicants the opportunity to pay a reduced evaluation fee of US $47,000 instead of the full evaluation fee of US $185,000. In order to qualify for the fee reduction, applicants must demonstrate financial need, provide a public interest benefit, and possess the necessary management and financial capabilities. If you are seeking fee reduction and have questions about the financial assistance available, please contact newgTLD@icann.org. Reference materials for financial assistance New gTLD Financial Assistance Handbook New gTLD Financial Assistance Handbook Redline Confidential Component for Financial Assistance Application Public Component for Financial Assistance Application The confidential and public components for financial assistance applications are the same documents available for download in TAS. Archived material Draft Applicant Support Criteria Draft Applicant Support Process Draft Applicant Support Program Timeline Important Notice: Financial Assistance is dedicated to truly deserving new gTLD applicants. Those applications from entities that apply for financial assistance and do not meet the threshold criteria will be disqualified from the new gTLD program and may not be eligible for a refund. Donate to the program The financial assistance element of the Applicant Support program is made possible due to a USD$2,000,000 fund set aside by ICANN's Board. This initial budget is considered seed funding. ICANN will work with the community to create a process for other parties to contribute to the fund. Details about the fundraising activities will be made available in 2012. Check back often as details will be posted soon. If you would like to donate to the program now or want more information, please write to candidate-support@icann.org.