Representatives from a wide range of stakeholders including governments, individuals, civil society business and intellectual property constituencies and technology experts provided input into the New gTLD policy development process. ICANN's New gTLD Applicant Guidebook details the application and evaluation process that incorporates stakeholder input for all prospective New gTLD applicants to follow.

The process of applying for a New gTLD is likely to be lengthy and complex. The application is designed to demonstrate the applicant's operational, technical and financial capability to run a TLD registry, and compliance with specific requirements. Potential applicants without prior experience in drafting a gTLD application will benefit by working with Melbourne IT DBS to write the application and manage the New gTLD process.

The completed New gTLD Applicant Guidebook and attachments is comprised of six modules contained in 352 pages as follows:

• Module 1: Introduction to the gTLD Application Process
• Module 2: Evaluation Questions and Criteria
• Module 3: Objection Procedures
• Module 4: String Contention Procedures
• Module 5: Transition to Delegation
• Module 6: Top-Level Domain Application; terms and conditions

Applicants will be required to complete the application for a New gTLD that includes responses to 50 questions, many of which will require multi-page answers to demonstrate the applicant and proposed New gTLD meet the requirements contained in the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook.