As we draw ever closer to opening the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: 2026 Round, the ICANN organization (org) is focused on ensuring that the application management system and processes provide a stable and user-friendly experience.
Following the ICANN Board's approval of the 2026 Round Implementation Plan in July 2023, the org committed to open the application round in April 2026. To accommodate that time frame, the team began building the TLD Application Management System (TAMS) almost two years ago, upon publication of the plan and in parallel with the Applicant Guidebook (AGB). Opening the program in April 2026 meant that we needed to start building TAMS and the associated processing procedures even as we finalized the AGB.
Throughout the development of TAMS, ICANN has conducted user acceptance testing (UAT), the purpose of which is to identify bugs in software, systems, and networks that may cause difficulties for users. In addition, the org conducts comprehensive internal assessments, including quality assurance testing after each two-week sprint cycle; UAT by an internal business team; end-to-end integration, functional regression, and process testing; penetration and security testing; and role-based permission testing.
While TAMS was designed with the user in mind, some features may not be optimally intuitive. To address this, ICANN is creating user manuals, system demo videos, specialized training, and other tools to facilitate the interaction and ensure a seamless experience. ICANN also will offer a webinar series and step-by-step guides to help users navigate TAMS. These resources will provide meaningful insight into the system's functionality, navigation, and user experience. These materials will be shared in advance of the round opening, so prospective applicants can familiarize themselves with the systems.
Security testing is always a critical part of any system development. Insights gleaned from our experience with operational test and evaluation environments in Registry System Testing Version 2.0 have been applied to security testing on TAMS. To ensure that this testing is rigorous and thorough, ICANN has dedicated additional resources and is planning to publish security test scenarios in the coming weeks.
Consistent with the responsible management of any program, before opening the application window, we will ensure that internal testing is complete, and we have full confidence in the security of the system for all users.
Recognizing that new software is rarely bug-free when it's launched, we will have feedback mechanisms and resources in place to address and mitigate any issues that arise quickly and effectively. We also will collect community feedback on the usability of TAMS throughout the operational phase of the program, and address issues and make enhancements through iterative updates.
Throughout the coming months, we will provide regular, periodic updates on our progress. We invite you to stay tuned as this work continues.
