WIPO’s Fellowship Program gives professionals practical experience in intellectual property and international cooperation at its Geneva headquarters. It covers translation and terminology, legal case management, economics or statistics research, and other specialized functions.
Openings are advertised as individual calls according to business needs rather than on a fixed annual schedule. A fellowship vacancy published on August 28, 2026 is open for applications until September 18, 2026.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly stipend of CHF 3,000–8,000, set according to education, relevant experience, and fellowship category.
- Initial contract of up to 12 months, renewable one or more times for a cumulative maximum of three years.
- Travel costs at the beginning and end of the fellowship, plus visa assistance when needed.
- Medical and professional accident insurance; WIPO pays 100% of the medical premium for contracts under 12 months and 75% for contracts of 12 months or longer.
- Ten official holidays per year, 2.5 days of annual leave per full month, up to six study-leave days per year, and relevant UN-language training.
Eligibility
- At least a first-level university degree, such as a bachelor’s degree.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Individual vacancies may add professional-experience, advanced-degree, language, or technical-competency requirements.
- No specific age limit or post-graduation time limit applies.
- Former interns may apply if eligible; former Young Experts cannot apply to WIPO positions during the two years after completing that program.
- The general program pages publish no nationality or prior-residency restriction; each vacancy’s stated requirements control.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Bachelor · Master · PhD
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Application process
- 1Monitor WIPO’s fellowship recruitment portal for a vacancy matching your background.
- 2Create or update a profile in WIPO’s online recruitment system.
- 3Submit the detailed online profile, vacancy questionnaire, and motivation letter before the stated deadline.
- 4If shortlisted, complete any vacancy-specific test and attend a panel interview.
- 5Await the final selection decision and, if selected, reference or background checks and a formal appointment letter.
Program timeline
Current fellowship vacancy published.
August 28, 2026
Application deadline for that vacancy.
September 18, 2026
Anticipated start for that vacancy.
November 2, 2026