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

[Glenn Ricart]

My personal comment: This is essentially riaising the funding limits by
15%.

Currency exchange ranes can go both up and down.  By adding 15%, it would
appear we're, on average, increasing the award by 15%.  Inflation affects
all awardees, including those transacting in US dollars.
If inflation is the justification, we are saying the original funding limit
was too low.  Funding environments, likewise, can change reardless of
"buffers."

I'm not taking a osition on whether or not 15% should be added.  But if it
is, it's not becaue of exchange rate fluctuations or funding environments,
or unpredictable inflation.  It's becaue doing the job requires more money.

Glenn


On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 5:11 AM Christabel Mebaghandu <
00001e119e64fa85-dmarc-request at listserv.syr.edu> wrote:

> 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 <+christabel.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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