closed ICANN FY27–31 Operating & Financial Plan, ICANN/IANA FY27 Op Plans & Budgets

Outcome

On 16 December 2025, ICANN published the following: (i) the Draft ICANN FY27–31 Operating and Financial Plan and the Draft ICANN FY27 Operating Plan; (ii) the Draft ICANN FY27 ICANN Budget; (iii) the Draft IANA FY27 Operating Plan and Budget; and (iv) the Draft Proposal for Changes to ICANN’s Funds.

ICANN received numerous comments from six community groups and two individuals about one or more of these documents. These contributions reflect the community’s invaluable insight and engagement with the ICANN planning process. This Public Comment Summary Report includes ICANN’s responses to the submissions.

Following the Public Comment period, ICANN held a public session during ICANN85 Prep Week to provide an overview of the community feedback. ICANN also engaged with Supporting Organizations (SOs) and Advisory Committees (ACs) at ICANN85 to discuss the comments. These interactions helped ICANN develop better responses and identify potential revisions to the Draft FY27–31 ICANN Operating and Financial Plan, the Draft ICANN FY27 Operating Plan and Budget, and the Draft IANA FY27 Operating Plan and Budget (collectively, Draft Plans).

ICANN appreciates the community’s participation in the Public Comment proceeding as input is key to the development of the plans, in keeping with ICANN’s multistakeholder governance model. Where appropriate, suggested changes will be incorporated into the Plans. The revised Draft Plans will be published on the ICANN Public Comment Proceeding webpage and then presented to the ICANN Board for consideration in May 2026.

Monetary references are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. All references to suggested changes in the plans are subject to Board approval.

Update 22 April 2026

Following the Public Comment Proceeding, all received comments were taken into consideration, and updates were made to the text to increase clarity in the revised ICANN FY27–31 Operating and Financial Plan and ICANN FY27 Operating Plan and Budget. Also, after reassessing the funding forecast, a positive adjustment was made to the FY27 Funding, expenses remained the same as the draft.  A detailed table of changes is included in the Highlights document as well as on the Finance and Planning Wiki.

The revised plans will be presented to the ICANN community and the Board Finance Committee, then will be considered by the ICANN Board for adoption in May 2026.

Revised documents:

• ICANN FY27 Highlights Document
• ICANN FY27–31 Operating & Financial Plan and FY27 Operating Plan
• ICANN FY27 Budget
• IANA FY27 Operating Plan and Budget

Update 03 May 2026

Adopted Plans:

The Board adopted the ICANN FY27 Plans on 3 May 2026. These plans are:

• Highlights of ICANN FY27–31 Operating and Financial Plan and FY27 Operating Plan and Budget
• ICANN FY27–31 Operating and Financial Plan and FY27 Operating Plan
• ICANN FY27 Budget
• IANA FY27 Operating Plan and Budget

What We Received Input On

ICANN has prepared a Guided Submission Form to collect feedback on key aspects of the following draft documents. The Guided Submission Form can be accessed by clicking the "Provide Your Input" button. Responding to any or all questions is not required and attachments (standalone or in conjunction with the guided form) can be submitted in response to this proceeding.

• Draft ICANN FY27–31 Operating and Financial Plan: This plan outlines Strategic Initiatives and ongoing Functional Activities. The Strategic Initiatives are programs and projects designed to support the achievement of the 28 strategies outlined in the ICANN FY26–30 Strategic Plan. Meanwhile, the ongoing Functional Activities provide the necessary processes and mechanisms that permit ICANN to conduct its work.
• Draft ICANN FY27 Operating Plan: This annual operating plan defines and describes ICANN's planned activities in fiscal year 2027.
• Draft ICANN FY27 Budget: This annual budget document describes ICANN’s anticipated funding sources and levels for fiscal year 2027.
• Draft IANA FY27 Operating Plan and Budget: This annual operating plan and budget is specific to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions and includes the work conducted by Public Technical Identifiers (PTI) pursuant to contracts with ICANN, plus the plans and costs for overseeing and enabling performance of the IANA functions by ICANN. Because the Draft IANA FY27 Operating Plan and Budget comprises the full Draft PTI FY27 Operating Plan and Budget, it is helpful to review both documents during the Public Comment process.
• Draft Proposal for Changes to ICANN’s Funds: The potential options being considered include: (1) establishing both target and maximum levels of the Reserve Fund; and (2) expanding the scope of the Supplemental Fund for Implementation of Community Recommendations. ICANN welcomes community feedback on these considerations.

Background

ICANN's overall planning process has three components:

1. Five-Year Strategic Plan

Designed to shape ICANN's priorities, the Five-Year Strategic Plan establishes a vision and a set of strategic objectives and goals in service of ICANN's mission. The Strategic Plan enables ICANN to continue to fulfill its mission and meet new and continuously evolving challenges and opportunities. Article 22, Section 22.5 of ICANN’s Bylaws requires the preparation and adoption of a Strategic Plan every five years. The ICANN Strategic Plan for FY26–30 serves as the foundational document guiding the Operating Plan.

2. Five-Year Operating and Financial Plan

The Five-Year Operating and Financial Plan articulates the feasibility and timing of services, activities, and milestones identified to achieve the Strategic Plan's objectives and goals. It is intended to serve as an overarching, holistic view of the activities ICANN is undertaking, or will undertake, in support of the Strategic Plan to carry out ICANN’s mission in the public interest over the next five years. Article 22, Section 22.5 of ICANN’s Bylaws requires the preparation and adoption of a Five-Year Operating Plan at the beginning of each fiscal year.

3. Annual Operating Plan and Budget

Informed by the Five-Year Operating and Financial Plan, the Annual Operating Plan and Budget further clarifies specific activities and resources. It sets forth the focus of efforts and organizational commitments for the current fiscal year. ICANN's Annual Operating Plan and Budget includes the IANA and PTI Annual Operating Plan and Budget. Article 22, Section 22.4 of ICANN’s Bylaws require the preparation and adoption of an Annual Operating Plan and Budget prior to the start of each fiscal year.

Supporting Information