--- title: "Applicant Support Program FAQ | www.onl - Financial & Technical Aid" description: "Complete guide to ICANN" keywords: "ASP, Applicant Support Program, financial aid, gTLD application assistance, ICANN support" author: "www.onl" url: "https://www.onl/faq/asp/" open_graph: title: "Applicant Support Program FAQ | www.onl" description: "Complete guide to ICANN" image: "https://www.onl/images/og-banner-wwwonl.png" url: "https://www.onl/faq/asp/" type: "website" site_name: "www.onl" --- [TLD Types](/tld-types/) [Articles](/articles/) [Calculator](/calculator/) [FAQ](/faq/) [Contact](/contact/) [Start](/apply/) [ - Back to Main FAQ ](/faq/) # Applicant Support Program (ASP) Financial and technical assistance for qualified applicants pursuing their own gTLD All Overview Eligibility Financial Technical Process 01 What is the Applicant Support Program (ASP)? The **Applicant Support Program (ASP)** is an ICANN initiative designed to assist qualified applicants who may not otherwise be able to apply for a new gTLD due to financial constraints or lack of technical expertise. The program offers: **Financial Assistance:** Reduced application fees ($46,000 instead of $227,000) - **Technical Support:** Pro-bono expert assistance with application preparation - **Training:** Educational resources and guidance throughout the process 02 Who should consider applying for ASP support? The ASP is designed for: - **Small and medium enterprises** with limited resources - **Non-profit organizations** serving public interest - **Community-based organizations** with limited budgets - **Developing region applicants** from emerging economies - **Indigenous communities** seeking cultural representation - **Language communities** wanting IDN TLDs 03 How much financial assistance does ASP provide? **Standard application fee:** $227,000 **ASP-supported application fee:** $46,000 **Savings:** $181,000 (80% reduction) This substantial fee reduction makes gTLD applications accessible to organizations that would otherwise be unable to participate. 04 What technical support does ASP provide? **Pro-bono expert support** includes: - Application preparation guidance - Technical requirements documentation - Financial capability assessment - Registry service provider selection assistance - Model documentation templates - Application review and feedback 05 What are the eligibility requirements for ASP? **Eligibility criteria include:** - **Organizational Type:** Must be a non-profit, SME, or community organization - **Financial Need:** Demonstrate inability to pay the full application fee - **TLD Type:** Priority given to public interest, community, and IDN applications - **Jurisdiction:** Must be from an eligible country/region - **No conflicts:** No ownership of other gTLDs - **Commitment:** Willingness to operate the TLD long-term 06 Can for-profit companies apply for ASP? **Yes, small and medium enterprises (SMEs)** may qualify if they: - Demonstrate genuine financial need - Meet revenue/asset thresholds (typically under $10M annually) - Are applying for a community or public interest TLD - Are from a developing economy or underserved region Large corporations and well-funded entities are not eligible. 07 Are there geographic restrictions for ASP? **Priority is given to applicants from:** - Developing economies (World Bank classifications) - Underserved regions - Countries with low gTLD representation However, any applicant who demonstrates financial need and meets the criteria may apply. The program aims for global diversity. 08 How do I demonstrate financial need? **Required documentation includes:** - Financial statements for past 2-3 years - Annual revenue and asset documentation - Budget projections - Explanation of why full fee payment is not feasible - Documentation of funding sources sought 09 Is the $46,000 fee refundable if my application fails? The ASP fee follows the same refund policy as standard applications: - **Before evaluation begins:** Partially refundable - **After evaluation begins:** Non-refundable - **If withdrawn:** No refund Ensure your application is complete before submission. 10 Can I get payment plans for the ASP fee? **Yes, ICANN offers payment plans** for both standard and ASP applicants: - **Installment options:** Split the fee over multiple payments - **Timeline:** Typically 6-12 month payment periods - **Interest:** No interest charged Request a payment plan during application submission. 11 How are pro-bono experts assigned? **Expert assignment process:** - ICANN maintains a roster of qualified pro-bono experts - Applicants are matched based on TLD type and expertise needed - Geographic and language preferences are considered - You can request specific expertise (technical, financial, legal) The expert relationship typically lasts through application submission. 12 What services do pro-bono experts provide? **Pro-bono services include:** - Application form completion guidance - Technical documentation preparation - Financial model review - Registry service provider introduction - Mock application review - Ongoing consultation and support Experts do **not** provide: legal advice, funding, or post-delegation operational support. 13 What is the ASP application timeline? **ASP Timeline:** - **2025:** ASP application window opens (before main gTLD applications) - **Q1 2026:** ASP applications reviewed and selections announced - **Q2 2026:** Main gTLD application window - **2026-2028:** Evaluation period Apply early for ASP consideration **before** submitting your gTLD application. 14 How do I apply for the ASP? **ASP Application Process:** - Complete ASP eligibility questionnaire - Submit financial documentation - Describe your proposed TLD and its public benefit - Explain why you need support - Submit before the ASP application deadline - Wait for notification of acceptance - If accepted, proceed with gTLD application 15 How many ASP applicants are selected? The number varies by round based on available funding. In previous rounds: - **2012 Round:** Approximately 30 applicants received support - **Funding source:** ICANN reserves a portion of application fees for ASP Apply early and submit complete documentation for the best chance of selection. 16 What happens if I'm not selected for ASP? **If not selected for ASP, you can still:** - Submit a standard gTLD application with the full $227,000 fee - Seek alternative funding sources - Apply for a payment plan with ICANN - Partner with other organizations ASP rejection does not prevent you from applying for a gTLD. ## Think You Might Qualify for ASP? Our team can help you assess your eligibility and prepare your ASP application. [Contact Us](/contact/) [Calculate Costs](/calculator/)