ICANN's IDN Variant TLD Program moves forward with initiating the implementation of the IDN Root Zone LGR Procedure by publishing the Call for Subject Matter Experts for the IDN Root Zone LGR Integration Panel and Call for Advisors to the IDN Root Zone LGR Panels .

The IDN Root Zone LGR implementation project will undertake work to develop the rules that identify the valid repertoire of code points for IDN TLDs, as well as the rules for identifying and possibly delegating any IDN variant TLDs. The work is carried out as specified in the "Procedure to Develop and Maintain the Label Generation Rules for the Root Zone in Respect of IDNA Labels" [PDF, 1.39 MB] (Procedure) and involves an Integration Panel, (to be staffed by paid experts), a set of Advisors to all Panels (formed of paid consultants, volunteers, or ICANN staff), and a set of Generation Panels (consisting of volunteers). The latter are subject to a separate call.

Successful development of the IDN Root Zone LGR depends on having Integration Panel members with the right skills to perform the substantive work. Therefore ICANN is soliciting the participation of subject matter experts to serve on the Integration Panel and advisors to the Integration and Generation Panels.

The Integration Panel will be comprised of a small number of technical experts in the following areas: DNS, IDNA, Unicode, and linguistics. The Call for Subject Matter Experts for the IDN Root Zone LGR Integration Panel [PDF, 168 KB] describes the details of expertise needed, as well as the expert selection process. The Call for Advisors to the IDN Root Zone LGR Panels [PDF, 164 KB] describes the desired expertise for advisors and their selection process. Interested experts are invited to submit their CV and an expression of interest statement demonstrating how they meet the qualifications for one or other of the subject matter or advisor expertise areas. Expressions of interest should be sent to idnvarianttlds@icann.org no later than 27 June 2013.