LOS ANGELES – The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced in a press release the continuation of the Pandemic Internet Access Program for ICANN70. This program was first piloted for ICANN69 with the support of ICANN's Board in their resolution from August 2020.

Interested community members must apply in advance of ICANN70, and those who meet the eligibility requirements will be selected to participate. The application deadline is March 5, 2021 at 23:59 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). 

The goal of this program is to facilitate participation in ICANN Public Meetings during this global pandemic. It offers community members who have limited Internet capacity financial assistance to increase their Internet bandwidth.

In the pilot program for ICANN69, 24 recipients met the eligibility requirements and received reimbursement.

ICANN is continuing and enhancing this program for ICANN70. Leaders from three Supporting Organizations, four Advisory Committees, four Stakeholder Groups and five Constituencies from the Generic Names Supporting Organization, and five Regional At-Large Organizations from the At-Large community all will have the opportunity to nominate a limited number of recipients to the program, focusing on members who are actively engaged in the ICANN community but may not have previously been eligible to apply.

Reimbursement amounts of up to USD 60 will be provided to eligible applicants who purchase additional Internet bandwidth (capacity or data limits) for the duration of the month or billing cycle for March 2021. The services must be rendered by a business entity or Internet service provider, specifically for Internet or cellular data service. The provider must also provide digital or paper documentation of the upgrade costs.