applicant

An organization that has sent ICANN (glossary)ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN an application to run a new gTLD (glossary)new gTLD A generic top-level domain added to the internet through ICANN's New gTLD Program. Full definition of new gTLD. In the 2026 Round (glossary)2026 Round ICANN's second round of applications for new generic top-level domains. Full definition of 2026 Round the applicant must pass background, financial and operational checks and use a back-end provider (glossary)back-end provider A company that runs a TLD's technical systems for the registry operator. Full definition of back-end provider that has passed ICANN's technical evaluation. It becomes a registry operator (glossary)registry operator The organization that holds the contract or mandate for a TLD and sets its rules. Full definition of registry operator only after it signs a Registry Agreement (glossary)Registry Agreement The contract between ICANN and a gTLD registry operator. Full definition of Registry Agreement.