Gatekeeper for domain names seeks volunteers to evaluate applicants

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) asked for volunteers to help evaluate whether applicants for new Web domain endings should qualify for a reduced application fee.

ICANN, a California-based nonprofit that manages the Internet’s address system, began accepting applications last month for new Web addresses ending in almost any word or phrase, such as “.sport” or “.food,” instead of just traditional endings such as “.com” or “.org.” The full application fee for a new address ending, or generic top-level domain, is $185,000, but public-interest groups with limited resources can qualify for a reduced fee of $47,000. ICANN said the steep price tag is necessary to ensure that applicants have the resources to manage a new Web address ending. Volunteers will help the group decide which applicants qualify for the reduced fee, and should have experience running a small business, working in developing economies, analyzing business plans, serving the public interest, managing a domain name registry service or awarding grants.