Who can apply
The program is open to individuals and organizations building something that needs an online address, including:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
- Students and emerging professionals.
- Artists and independent creators.
- Community organizations and nonprofits.
- People experiencing financial barriers.
- People with limited technical experience building their first online presence.
What we ask, and why
We ask for the domain you want, the name we should use for you, the description that fits you best, a short account of what you are building, and how you will use the domain. These help us understand whether the program fits and what support would help. Your country and whether cost is a barrier are optional questions; your answers help us direct limited funding. We do not ask for income figures, financial documents, or identity documents.
How applications are assessed
A member of our program team reviews every application. Reviewers consider:
- Whether the program is a good fit for what you are building.
- The practical barriers you describe, whether financial, technical, or both.
- Whether the requested extension and its cost fall within the program.
- The funding available at the time.
We may ask for more information. Approval is not guaranteed, and the number of approvals depends on funding.
What is not eligible
- Premium-priced names and extensions outside the program.
- Names that appear to infringe someone else’s rights or breach the Acceptable Use Policy.
- More than one open application per domain, or more than three open applications per person at once.
What an approval covers
An approval covers the registration cost of the approved domain for the sponsorship term stated in the approval. It does not cover website hosting or email services unless the approval says otherwise. Renewal support is reviewed before each renewal date, subject to funding, and we will always give notice of any change.
How long it takes
Review times vary with the number of applications and the funding available. We will keep you informed at every stage through your dashboard and by email, and we do not promise turnaround times we cannot keep.
If your application is declined
We will tell you why. You may apply again for a different name or when your circumstances change, and you can contact us if you believe we misunderstood your application.
Fairness
We assess applications without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age or national origin, and we keep a record of every decision.