The application process for a new gTLD is complex and involves providing substantial information to ICANN. While the exact number of questions to submit an application isn't a fixed figure that ICANN publicly states, the application form requires detailed responses across various categories.
Based on the ICANN's Applicant Guidebook and related resources, the application requires comprehensive information in areas such as:
- General Information: Details about the applicant organization, its legal structure, history, and contact information.
- Financial Capability: Demonstration of the applicant's financial resources to operate the registry. This includes providing financial statements, funding plans, and projections.
- Technical and Operational Capability: Evidence of the applicant's ability to manage the technical infrastructure and operations of a TLD registry, including DNS management, security, and business continuity plans.
- String Selection: Information about the applied-for gTLD string, its intended purpose, and how it aligns with any community it may serve.
- Policy and Procedures: Proposed policies for the operation of the TLD, including domain name registration policies, dispute resolution mechanisms, and measures to prevent abusive use.
- Marketing and Promotion (if applicable): Plans for marketing and promoting the new gTLD.
The application form is extensive, with numerous sub-sections and detailed questions within each category. Applicants need to provide thorough and well-documented responses to demonstrate their qualifications.
It's important to note that the next application submission period for new gTLDs is expected to open in Q2 2026. The Applicant Guidebook, which contains the detailed application form and all requirements, is estimated to be finalized in May 2025.
The initial evaluation fee for a new gTLD application in the upcoming round is USD $227,000. Additional fees may apply for evaluations of variant strings or specific application types.
Therefore, while a precise number of questions isn't available, the application process is known to be detailed, requiring extensive information across several critical operational and financial aspects. The Applicant Guidebook, once released, will provide the full scope of the questions and required information.