---
id: "applicant-guidebook"
kind: "glossary-term"
title: "Applicant Guidebook"
language: "en"
category: "TLD types and programs"
updated: "2026-10-04T14:01:23Z"
canonical: "https://tldlog.com/glossary/applicant-guidebook/"
translations:
  es: "https://tldlog.com/es/glosario/guia-solicitante/"
  de: "https://tldlog.com/de/glossar/applicant-guidebook/"
  fr: "https://tldlog.com/fr/glossaire/guide-candidature/"
  it: "https://tldlog.com/it/glossario/applicant-guidebook/"
  pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/glossario/guia-candidato/"
  ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/glossariy/rukovodstvo-zayaviteley/"
  zh-Hans: "https://tldlog.com/zh/cihui/shenqingren-zhidao-shouce/"
---

# Applicant Guidebook

The rulebook for an ICANN new gTLD application round. It explains who can apply, fees, evaluation steps, objections, how competing applications for the same string are resolved and how winners sign contracts. The 2012 and 2026 rounds each have their own guidebook.

## related terms

- [2026 Round](https://tldlog.com/glossary/new-gtld-program-2026-round/)
- [string contention](https://tldlog.com/glossary/string-contention/)
- [New gTLD Program](https://tldlog.com/glossary/new-gtld-program/)