[Ncsg-discuss] SPIRT Issue #1 [Forwarded from ICANN Org]

[Christabel Mebaghandu]

Dear NCSG,

The new gTLD program has commenced in earnest and the SPIRT Team is ready to deliver on its mandate and contribute its success. Kindly find forwarded (and attached) from the ASP team, an issue for consideration by the SPIRT.


I invite the NCSG to review the issue and provide its views on the classification of this matter as a non-policy issue; a non-minor operational change request that can be implemented in alignment with existing policy recommendations and will have material impact on applicants and/or including whether the rationale for such classification is sufficient.

The issue concerns ICANN’s proposed update to the interpretation of the ASP Financial Need eligibility criteria.

ICANN proposes to provide additional indicators to the SARP on how to interpret the Financial Need criteria.

ICANN proposes an allowance of up to 15% above the USD $5 million financial threshold to account for 'variations in funding environments, currency exchange fluctuations, and inflation', effectively modifying how the Support Applicant Review Panel (SARP) evaluates financial need.
Resultantly, applicants that may have exceeded the USD$5 million threshold in the previous two years based on financial documentation submitted but are still within the 15% buffer would be eligible to qualify for support in the case that they Pass all other ASP criteria categories.

Kindly provide your views also on a potential resolution to this matter, especially whether the proposed flexibility is a consistent interpretation of existing policy recommendations.

Kindly provide your views on if any safeguards are required to preserve fairness, predictability, and transparency, or if alternative approaches should be considered for addressing 'funding environments, currency exchange rates, and inflation'-related issues in ASP assessments.

Given the potential implications for the process and the program, your timely feedback will be important in guiding our engagement on this matter within SPIRT and greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Christabel Mebaghandu, MIEEE MNCS fNSIG fWASIG.
Chief Technology Officer
Civil Center for Peace Justice and Development
Floor 2, Senator Samuel Plaza
Opp. Customary Court of Appeal, Rumuogba, Port Harcourt
Rivers State, Nigeria.
+234-816-127-8131
christabel.mebaghandu at ccpjd.org<mailto:%20christabel.mebaghandu at ccpjd.org>


________________________________
From: Jared Erwin via Gnso-spirt <gnso-spirt at icann.org>
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2026 19:29
To: gnso-spirt at icann.org <gnso-spirt at icann.org>
Cc: Kristy Buckley <kristy.buckley at icann.org>; Samantha Mancia <samantha.mancia at icann.org>
Subject: [Gnso-spirt] SPIRT Notification re ASP Financial Need Eligibility Criteria

Dear SPIRT Members,

On behalf of the Applicant Support Program (ASP) team, please find attached a notification for a proposed solution regarding the ASP Financial Need Eligibility Criteria.

As requested in the paper, please provide guidance within 7 calendar days, including whether the SPIRT believes additional time is needed to come to an agreement on the proposed solution.

ICANN requests that the SPIRT provide any feedback on list by 11 May 2026.

Thank you,
Jared




—
Jared Erwin
Senior Director, New gTLD Program
ICANN
jared.erwin at icann.org



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