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The World Intellectual Property Organization is accepting applications for its Internship Program for university students and recent graduates from different regions of the world.
WIPO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works on intellectual property, innovation and creativity. Most internship placements are based at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Successful applicants receive a monthly stipend, medical and accident insurance, annual leave and, in certain cases, assistance with travel expenses and Swiss visa formalities.
Eligible academic backgrounds
This list is not necessarily exhaustive. Applicants must still match the requirements of any particular assignment offered to them.
Funding and benefits
What is not covered
WIPO does not provide accommodation. The stipend is intended to contribute toward lodging, food and local transportation, but candidates must arrange their own housing. Interns may also be responsible for applicable local tax and social-security obligations.
Internship Categories
Category I
* Undergraduate students in their third or fourth year.
* Students who must complete an internship as part of their degree.
* Applicants who obtained a bachelor’s degree within the two years before applying.
* Master’s students who have not completed both their coursework and final thesis.
Category I internships normally last between two and six months.
Selected Category I interns based in Geneva receive CHF 1,645 per month.
Category II
* Applicants who obtained a master’s degree within the previous two years.
* Graduate students who completed their coursework but have not completed their thesis.
* Applicants who already hold an advanced university degree and are pursuing another degree.
Category II internships normally last between two and twelve months.
Selected Category II interns based in Geneva receive CHF 2,170 per month.
Application process
Critical application warning
WIPO states that recruitment assessment is based on the information entered into its online system. Applicants should not assume that uploading a CV will compensate for an incomplete profile. WIPO explicitly says the online profile information is used for assessment and that the CV may be disregarded.
Shortlisted applicants may face a technical assessment and a competency-based interview. A selection decision can also involve reference or background checks.
Documents applicants should prepare
WIPO’s general internship page does not publish one universal document checklist for every future placement. Applicants should nevertheless prepare:
Do not tell readers that every listed document is mandatory. Requirements may differ between the general roster and a particular internship assignment.
Language Requirement
Applicants must have professional written and spoken knowledge of English and/or French.
Financial Benefits
WIPO does not provide accommodation. Interns are responsible for arranging housing and managing their living expenses in Geneva.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply through WIPO’s official online recruitment system.
Create a recruitment profile, complete every relevant section, join the official Internship Roster and submit all information requested in the application.
The Internship Roster is a general candidate pool and is not tied to one guaranteed vacancy. Applications may be shared with relevant WIPO departments as internship needs arise.
Applicants should provide detailed and accurate information in the online profile. WIPO assesses candidates using the information submitted through its recruitment platform, so an incomplete profile can seriously weaken an application.
Important Notice
Joining the WIPO Internship Roster does not guarantee selection or placement.
The internship is conducted in person, and WIPO currently states that remote internships are not available.
An internship at WIPO also does not guarantee a future job with the organization. Any later employment requires a separate competitive recruitment process.
Always apply through the official WIPO recruitment portal. TripDoc does not collect applications, guarantee selection, or charge applicants for access to this opportunity.
