Upcoming TLDs / .research
Can you register a .research domain?
Source: ICANN 2026 round applications, checked October 27, 2026. Not in the IANA root zone as of October 26, 2026.
What .research would mean
In their own words, from the public part of each application (question 118):
step-by-step process of gathering information
"Research" is an English word meaning the systematic investigation and study of materials, sources, and phenomena in order to establish facts, develop knowledge, and reach new conclusions.
Research is the systematic investigation and analysis of subjects, questions, or data to draw conclusions or develop new understanding. The term is commonly used in academic, scientific, commercial, technological, and other contexts.
RESEARCH is the systematic study of evidence, information and ideas to establish facts, answer questions and discover what comes next. Curiosity, with a method.
Who applied for .research
Link Freedom Group / LFG
Link Freedom Group Ltd, MT, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
Link Freedom Group (LFG) aspires to become a best-in-class, vertically integrated domain name registration authority, see linkfreedomgroup.link. This TLD is part of a carefully curated portfolio of strings that LFG intends to pursue in ICANN’s 2026 New gTLD Program. In assembling this portfolio, LFG focused on securing meaningful, memorable, and commercially compelling strings that resonate strongly with end users and offer long-term growth potential.
Radix Technologies Inc SEZC
Radix Technologies Inc SEZC, KY, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
1. Mission and purpose: The mission of .research is to provide a namespace for the organizations and projects that produce knowledge. Intended registrants include research institutes, laboratories and university groups; corporate R&D units; market, policy and industry research firms; and individual researchers, projects, journals, conferences and collaborations. Intended users are the academic, professional and public audiences who consume and build on research worldwide. Following delegation, the applicant will, as registry operator of the .research TLD, conduct a phased launch, implement all …
Suffix Inc.
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
The mission of .RESEARCH is to provide an accessible namespace for individuals, businesses, organizations, institutions, communities, projects, and other entities that conduct, publish, support, or wish to be associated with research. The purpose of .RESEARCH is to enable registrants to establish distinctive online identities through domain names that reflect the concept represented by the applied-for string. To achieve this purpose, SUFFIX INC. will make .RESEARCH available for registration through accredited registrars and other appropriate distribution channels; maintain secure, stable, and …
XYZ.COM LLC
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
1. Mission and purpose. This gTLD will be operated as an open, unrestricted generic top-level domain. Its purpose is to expand naming choice in the DNS by making this term available at the top level for any lawful use chosen by the registrant. Registrations will be available to all registrants on a first-come, first-served basis through ICANN-accredited registrars, subject only to the Registry Agreement, ICANN Consensus Policies, and applicable law. The applicant will not operate this gTLD on an exclusive basis.
What happens next
- April 30, 2026: Application window opened (done)
- August 12, 2026: Application window closed (done)
- October 7, 2026: Reveal Day: ICANN published every applied-for string (done)
- October 21, 2026: Replacement period ended (applicants could switch to a backup string) (done)
- November 17, 2026: String Confirmation Day: the final list of applied-for strings
- March 16, 2027: Community input and objections period ends
Dates from ICANN’s Reveal Day announcement, checked October 27, 2026. We re-check the applications every day and this page changes when they do.
When will .research be available?
ICANN has not set a date. The final list of applied-for strings comes on String Confirmation Day (November 17, 2026), community input and objections run until March 16, 2027, and ICANN processes applications after a prioritization draw in 2027. Registration opens only after ICANN delegates .research and its registry announces launch dates.