[NOTICE] Kubernetes v1.36 Shadow Application is OPEN ❄️

[Kat Cosgrove]

Howdy, y'all!

I am pleased to announce that the shadow application for the Kubernetes v1.36 Release Team is now open!

Please fill out the application form[1] to be considered as a shadow on the team.

While the release calendar has not been finalized, here is an overview of the release:

• Release Team Shadow Application Opens: Saturday, 20 December 2025
• Release Team Shadow Application Closes: Sunday, 11 January 2026 (Midnight Anywhere)
• Release Team Shadow Notifications sent out latest: Sunday, 18 January 2026
• Release Cycle Start: Monday, 12 January 2026 (approximate)
• Release Cycle End: Wednesday, 22 April 2026 (approximate)

The dates are subject to change. Keep an eye on the sig-release slack channel[2] and kubernetes/sig-release[3] repository for updates.

Please refer to the following links for information on the Release Team and selection process:

• Release Team Overview: https://git.k8s.io/sig-release/release-team/README.md
• Release Team Shadows: https://git.k8s.io/sig-release/release-team/shadows.md
• Role Handbooks: https://git.k8s.io/sig-release/release-team/role-handbooks
• Selection Criteria: https://git.k8s.io/sig-release/release-team/release-team-selection.md

Please reach out via the #sig-release Slack channel[2] on Kubernetes Slack should you have any further questions.

xoxo,
Kat Cosgrove
Release Team Subproject Lead

[1] https://forms.gle/u2o7g8A1DCg8jzcm8
[2] https://kubernetes.slack.com/archives/C2C40FMNF

[3] https://git.k8s.io/sig-release/