contracting

The stage after an application passes evaluation and any contention, when the applicant (glossary)applicant An organization that has applied to ICANN to run a new gTLD. Full definition of applicant and ICANN (glossary)ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN sign a Registry Agreement (glossary)Registry Agreement The contract between ICANN and a gTLD registry operator. Full definition of Registry Agreement. Only then is the applicant 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. Onboarding and delegation into the root zone (glossary)root zone The top of the DNS, listing every TLD and its name servers. Full definition of root zone follow, and 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 TLD (glossary)TLD top-level domain The last part of a domain name, after the final dot. Full definition of TLD must be delegated within one year of signing.