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

[Yao Amevi A. Sossou]

Dear Christabel,

Thank you for the update. The PC is following these developments closely.

For your information, I am working with Juan on the NCSG position paper
regarding the new gTLD round and the AGB. Please feel free to add your
contribution using suggestion mode here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ujgb1Na7ctUCNwjeCsjL3L2fTsRDbHdv8BCMgspMMwY/edit?usp=sharing

Everyone is also invited to provide their input on the position paper.

Regarding the requested feedback for the SPIRT, I would like to ask if you
could lead the drafting of the input we will send to the PC chair for
submission. I will contribute to this as well.

Kind regards,
.............................................................
Yao Amevi A. Sossou

.............................................................

Digital Transformation Advocate | Design & Innovation Evangelist | Human
centered Entrepreneurship| SDG Advocate | Internet Governance | Policy
Advocate

.............................................................

Email: soyames at gmail.com

Twitter: *https://twitter.com/_amevY2 <https://twitter.com/_amevY2>*

LinkedIn: Yao Amevi A. sossou | LinkedIn
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameviy/>

.............................................................

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On Fri, May 8, 2026 at 11:12 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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