Call for The PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) Fellowship Programs 2026 is open now!!!
The PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) Translation Division of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organizes a Fellowship Program for assistant terminologists, translators, post-editors, translation technologists, and technical specialists, with the aim of providing training and on-the-job experience at an international organization. WIPO is now accepting applications for the 2026 edition of the Program. WIPO leads the development of a balanced and effective global intellectual property ecosystem to promote innovation and creativity for a better and more sustainable future. . This prestigious initiative offers advanced students and recent graduates a unique opportunity to gain practical experience within the International Patent System. By participating in the PCT Fellowship Program applications process, candidates can contribute to the technical precision required for future IP litigation and commercialization efforts on a global scale.
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The landscape of modern innovation relies heavily on a robust framework for IP protection, ensuring that inventors can secure and leverage their intellectual assets. A central pillar of this framework is the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). As the complexity of international patent filings increases, the demand for specialized technical and linguistic expertise grows proportionally.
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There are five types of Fellowship position:
- Terminology fellows will be trained in the creation of terminology entries for the PCT Termbase and subsequent publication in WIPO Pearl.
- Translation fellows will be trained in the translation of patent abstracts and patent examination documents.
- Post-Editing fellows will be trained in the post-editing of machine translation (PEMT) of patent abstracts and patent examination documents.
- Translation Technology fellows will be trained in the use and support of translation and terminology management systems and machine translation systems.
- Technical Specialist fellows have prior experience in industry or as a researcher in a specific technical discipline and share their knowledge with PCT translators, and will be trained on the PCT system and the role of translation under the PCT.
Staff of the PCT Translation Division at WIPO provide training and guidance to participants throughout the period of their fellowship in Geneva. Fellowships may vary in length but usually are not shorter than three months. Fellows are given a monthly stipend of 5,000 Swiss francs (taxable) and are provided with medical cover. Additionally, WIPO will assist with travel and visa arrangements. Fellowships cannot be carried out remotely.
Location:
SwitzerlandBenefits
The PCT Fellowship Program provides-
- Contract: Your contract duration is up to 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for a total of up to three years.
- Remuneration: WIPO will provide a monthly stipend ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 CHF per month depending on your academic background and experience that may be relevant to the nature of the fellowship.
- Holidays: In addition to 10 days of official holidays per year, as part of our commitment to positive work environment, during each full month of your fellowship, you will be entitled to 2.5 days of annual leave.
- Health Insurance: WIPO will provide you with a comprehensive medical and professional accident insurance coverage. WIPO will pay 100% (contract of less than 12 months) or 75% (contract of 12 months, or extended to cover 12 months or more) of the medical insurance premium and 100% of the professional accident insurance premium.
- Relocation Assistance: WIPO will cover travel expenses at the start and end of your fellowship. If necessary, WIPO assists in facilitating the visa formalities to Switzerland.
- Learning and development: You will have access to a variety of opportunities for professional growth and development. You can participate in different internal training programs offered by the WIPO Academy, and you will be eligible for up to six study leave days per year. Additionally, WIPO will bear the cost of UN Official languages training, if these are required by your job duties.
Eligibilities
For the Terminology Fellowship
Candidates should be currently pursuing or be a recent graduate of an advanced degree program (Master’s, Doctorate or an equivalent level degree) in terminology, translation, a related linguistic discipline, or in a technical field provided they have strong linguistic ability. Prior experience in applied terminology would be considered an advantage but is not a requirement, and applicants are expected to work in their native language.
In 2026, applications are invited from native speakers of Arabic, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, who also have excellent knowledge of English.
For the Translation Fellowship
Candidates should be currently pursuing or be a recent graduate of an advanced degree program (Master’s, Doctorate or an equivalent level degree) in translation, terminology, a related linguistic discipline, or in a technical field provided they have strong linguistic ability. Prior experience in technical translation would be considered an advantage but is not a requirement, and applicants are expected to translate into their native language.
In 2026, applications are requested from candidates working in the following language combinations only:
- Japanese to English
- Korean to English
For the Post-Editing Fellowship
Candidates should be currently pursuing or be a recent graduate of an advanced degree program (Master’s, Doctorate or an equivalent level degree) in translation/post-editing, terminology, a related linguistic discipline, or in a technical field provided they have strong linguistic ability. Prior experience in technical translation/post-editing would be considered an advantage but is not a requirement, and applicants are expected to post-edit in their native language (target language).
In 2026, applications are requested from candidates working in the following language combinations only:
- Chinese to English
- English to French
For the Translation Technology Fellowship
Candidates should be currently pursuing or be a recent graduate of an advanced degree program (Master’s, Doctorate or an equivalent level degree) in translation technology, translation or a related linguistic discipline including a translation technology component, or in a technical field such as computational linguistics, information technology, or artificial intelligence. Prior experience in translation technology would be considered an advantage but is not a requirement, and applicants are expected to work in English or French.
For the Technical Specialist Fellowship
Candidates should have at least a first degree (Bachelor’s level) in a technical or scientific field (priorities include engineering, textiles, mining and telecommunications) and have demonstrated experience in industry or as a researcher, as well as a high level of linguistic ability in English and a second language that is preferably Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish.
Eligible Regions: Open for All.Application Process
WIPO processes all applications through its official online recruitment platform. If you are interested in submitting a PCT Fellowship Program application, follow these specific steps to ensure your profile is considered:
- Access the Official Announcement: Navigate to the WIPO Pearl News Page to find the direct links for each fellowship track.
- Select Your Track: Click the “Apply Now” link corresponding to the specific fellowship (e.g., Terminology, Translation, or Technical Specialist) that matches your expertise.
- Create Your Profile: If you are a new user, you must register an account on the WIPO online recruitment system (Member Center).
- Upload Documentation: You will be required to submit a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation Letter that highlights your interest in international patent law and technical translation.
- Submit Multiple Applications: If you are qualified for more than one role, you must submit a separate PCT Fellowship Program application for each individual track.
Application Deadline: March 3, 2026 (29 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
