closed ICANN FY26–30 Operating & Financial Plan, ICANN/IANA FY26 Op Plans & Budgets

Outcome

ICANN received comments from six community groups and one individual about the: (i) Draft ICANN FY26 Budget; (ii) Draft ICANN FY26–30 Operating and Financial Plan and Draft ICANN FY26 Operating Plan; and (iii) Draft IANA FY26 Operating Plan and Budget. These contributions reflect the community’s invaluable insight and engagement with the draft plans.

The comments were reviewed and have been categorized into seven themes: Plan Introduction and Assumptions, Plan Structure, Strategic Initiatives, Functional Activities, Financial Management, FY26 IANA Operating Plan and Budget, and Other. The Public Comment Summary Report includes ICANN’s response to the submissions.

ICANN appreciates the community’s participation in the Public Comment proceeding as input is key to the development of the plans, in keeping with ICANN’s multistakeholder model. Where appropriate, suggested changes will be considered, and the revised draft plans will be presented to the ICANN Board for consideration in May 2025.    

Update 23 April 2025

All comments received during the Public Comment proceeding were thoroughly considered and no material changes were required as a result of the feedback.  Following the Public Comment Proceeding, the ICANN organization reviewed the latest planning and financial assumptions–a key step in the process–which resulted in revisions to funding and expenses in the ICANN FY26 Budget.  ICANN org also added more detailed explanations to parts of the ICANN FY26–30 Operating and Financial Plan and ICANN FY26 Operating Plan and Budget.

A summary log of these changes from the published draft plans can be found in the Highlights of the Proposed for Adoption ICANN FY26–30 Operating and Financial Plan and FY26 Operating Plan and Budget.  The community is also invited to review these changes at a live community webinar. A recording of the webinar will be available  on the Finance and Planning Community Wiki. These documents are due to be presented to the ICANN Board for adoption in May 2025. After Board approval, all plan documents will be republished as Adopted. The republished planning documents may include minor edits to ensure that changes are sufficiently explained (or commented upon) across all planning documents.

Documents for Board Adoption:

• ICANN FY26 Highlights Document
• ICANN FY26–30 Operating & Financial Plan and FY26 Operating Plan
• ICANN FY26 Budget
• IANA FY26 Operating Plan and Budget

08 May 2025

Adopted Plans:

The Board adopted the ICANN FY26 Plans on 3 May 2025. These plans are:

• ICANN FY26 Highlights Document
• ICANN FY26–30 Operating & Financial Plan and FY26 Operating Plan
• ICANN FY26 Budget
• IANA FY26 Operating Plan and Budget

What We Received Input On

ICANN seeks community feedback on the following drafts documents:

• The Draft ICANN FY26–30 Operating and Financial Plan: This plan outlines Strategic Initiatives and ongoing Functional Activities. The Strategic Initiatives are programs and projects designed to support the achievement of the 28 strategies outlined in the five year FY26-30 Strategic Plan. Meanwhile, the ongoing Functional Activities provide the necessary processes and mechanisms that permit the community to conduct its work. In total, there are 35 Strategic Initiatives in the Operating Plan aimed at driving progress toward these 28 strategies outlined in the Strategic Plan. We invite the community to share any feedback on the clarity of the term "Strategic Initiatives." Specifically, we are interested in whether the term resonates with you and effectively conveys its intended purpose.
• The Draft ICANN FY26 Operating Plan: This annual operating plan defines and describes ICANN's planned activities in Fiscal Year 2026.
• The Draft ICANN FY26 Budget: This annual budget document describes ICANN’s anticipated funding sources and levels for Fiscal Year 2026.
• The Draft IANA FY26 Operating Plan and Budget: This annual operating plan and budget is specific to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions and includes the work conducted by the Public Technical Identifiers (PTI) pursuant to contract with ICANN, plus the plans and costs for overseeing and enabling performance of the IANA functions by ICANN. Because the annual Draft IANA Operating Plan and Budget comprises the full Draft PTI Operating Plan and Budget, it is helpful to review both documents during the Public Comment process. Please note that there are currently two separate public comments proceedings running. This proceeding includes the Draft ICANN FY26-30 Operating and Financial Plan, the Draft ICANN FY26 Operating Plan; the Draft ICANN FY26 Budget, and the Draft IANA FY26 Operating Plan and Budget, all to be presented to the ICANN Board for adoption. The second Public Comment proceeding exclusively covers the Draft PTI FY26 Operating Plan and Budget.

Background

ICANN's overall planning process has three components:

1. Five-Year Strategic Plan
   • Designed to shape ICANN's priorities, the Five-Year Strategic Plan establishes a vision and a set of strategic objectives and goals in service of ICANN's Mission. The Strategic Plan enables ICANN to continue to fulfill its Mission and meet new and continuously evolving challenges and opportunities. ICANN's Bylaws, Article 22, section 22.5 requires the preparation and adoption of a Strategic Plan every five years. The ICANN Strategic Plan for FY26-30 is currently under development and the draft has served as the foundational document guiding the creation of the Operating Plan.
2. Five-Year Operating and Financial Plan
   • The Five-Year Operating and Financial Plan articulates the feasibility and timing of services, activities, and milestones identified to achieve the Strategic Plan's objectives and goals. It is intended to serve as an overarching, holistic view of the activities ICANN is undertaking, or will undertake, in support of the Strategic Plan to carry out ICANN’s Mission in the public interest over the next five years. ICANN's Bylaws, Article 22, section 22.5 requires the preparation and adoption of a Five-Year Operating Plan at the beginning of each fiscal year.
3. Annual Operating Plan and Budget
   • Informed by the Five-Year Operating and Financial Plan, the Annual Operating Plan and Budget further clarifies specific activities and resources for the upcoming year. The Annual Operating Plan and Budget sets forth the focus of efforts and organizational commitments for the current fiscal year. ICANN's Annual Operating Plan and Budget includes the IANA and PTI Annual Operating Plan and Budget. ICANN's Bylaws, Article 22, section 22.4 require the preparation and adoption of an Annual Operating Plan and Budget prior to the commencement of each fiscal year. 

Input from ICANN Supporting Organizations, Advisory Committees, constituency groups, other stakeholders, Board of Directors, and ICANN organization is key to the development of these plans, in keeping with ICANN's multistakeholder model.

ICANN developed the Draft FY26-30 Operating and Financial Plan, the Draft FY26 One-Year Operating Plan and the Draft FY26 Budget by utilizing a forward-looking methodology for funding that incorporates “base” scenario funding projections. This methodology strives to identify predictions about future funding conditions while utilizing a set of base assumptions that are expected to result in a realistic outcome.

ICANN deeply values the ongoing involvement of the community, both individual members and organizations, in the annual planning process. Community participation is fundamental to ICANN's public accountability, and ICANN recognizes the significant time and attention it demands and looks forward to advancing many important initiatives in FY26.

Supporting Information