Are 4 months enough to decide to submit a new gTLD application in the next ICANN new gTLD round?

That's a very compressed timeframe for such a significant undertaking. The ICANN new gTLD application is a highly complex business and technical proposal that typically requires many months, or even a year or more, of dedicated preparation.
Here's a breakdown of why 4 months is likely not enough time:
⚠️ The Scale of the ICANN Application
The application is essentially a detailed plan to operate a piece of critical Internet infrastructure for many years. It covers:
* Business Plan: Detailed financial projections, marketing strategy, and rationale for the new gTLD.
* Technical Operations: A robust plan for the registry system, including security, stability, scalability, and disaster recovery.
* Legal and Regulatory: Compliance with the comprehensive Applicant Guidebook (AGB) and a detailed understanding of ICANN policies.
* Financial Capability: Demonstrating sufficient funds for the application fee (which was $185,000 USD in the last round, and is expected to be similar or higher), operational setup, and initial years of running the registry.
* Registry Service Provider (RSP): You must either build your own system or, more commonly, contract with an established, ICANN-evaluated Registry Service Provider. This selection and contracting process is time-consuming.
📅 Next Round Timeline (Based on Current Information)
The expected timeline for the next ICANN New gTLD Round suggests that the application window is projected to open in April 2026 and last for about 12-15 weeks.
As of November 2025 (the current time), the Applicant Guidebook (AGB)—the essential rulebook—is expected to have been finalized and published.
* April 2026: Application Submission Period expected to open (for 12-15 weeks).
* December 2025 (Expected): Final Applicant Guidebook (AGB) published.
This means that while the formal submission is still months away, the preparation period is now.
✅ Key Tasks That Take Longer Than 4 Months
* Business Case Development (6+ months): Thorough market research, financial modeling (5-10 years), and legal entity setup.
* Registry Service Provider (RSP) Selection/Contracting (3-6+ months): Identifying an RSP, negotiating a contract, and defining the scope of services. Many RSPs require long lead times for new clients.
* Technical Documentation (3-4 months): The RSP will provide much of this, but you must integrate it, and your legal team must review and approve it for compliance with the AGB.
* Drafting the Application (4-6 months): Answering hundreds of questions and compiling extensive supporting documentation requires multiple drafts and review cycles by business, technical, and legal experts.
* Contention Strategy: If your proposed string is popular (e.g., .app, .web), you'll likely face other applicants. Preparing for potential dispute resolution or an auction requires strategic planning and budget allocation.
In summary, 4 months from deciding to submitting is extremely ambitious and potentially risky.
💡 Your Next Steps Now
If you are committed to applying, you must act immediately and compress the preparation schedule into the remaining time before the April 2026 opening:
* Secure Professional Advisers: Engage specialized gTLD consultants, legal counsel, and financial experts who have experience with the previous ICANN round.
* Define Your TLD & Application Type: Solidify the string (e.g., .brand, .geo, .community) and application category (Standard, Community, etc.).
* Finalize the Registry Service Provider: Sign a Letter of Intent or a contract with a pre-evaluated RSP as quickly as possible, as their technical documents are crucial for your application.
* Study the Applicant Guidebook (AGB): Dedicate a team to review the AGB as soon as it is published (expected by December 2025) to ensure full compliance.