Application Deadline: March 3, 2026
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is now accepting applications for its 2026 PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) Fellowship Program. This initiative, managed by the PCT Translation Division, aims to equip graduate students with invaluable training and practical experience within an international organization setting.
The Fellowship Program offers five distinct categories of positions tailored to various specializations:
- Terminology Fellows: These fellows receive training in developing terminology entries for the PCT Termbase, which are subsequently published in WIPO Pearl. This role focuses on the creation, refinement, and management of technical terminology linked to patents.
- Translation Fellows: Participants in this track undergo training in translating patent abstracts and patent examination documents, honing their skills in technical translation relevant to intellectual property.
- Post-Editing Fellows: This fellowship focuses on the post-editing of machine-translated patent abstracts and examination documents (PEMT), enabling candidates to enhance raw machine translation output to meet required quality standards.
- Translation Technology Fellows: These fellows gain expertise in the deployment and support of translation and terminology management systems, as well as machine translation technologies, contributing to the efficiency and accuracy of patent translation workflows.
- Technical Specialist Fellows: Open to individuals with industry or research experience in specific technical domains, these fellows share their specialist knowledge with PCT translators and learn about the PCT system and the critical role of translation within it.
Benefits of the Fellowship
Selected fellows will receive a monthly stipend of 5,000 Swiss francs (subject to taxation) along with medical insurance coverage. Moreover, WIPO provides assistance with travel logistics and visa procedures to facilitate participation. It is important to note that these fellowships must be undertaken on-site, as remote work options are not available.
Eligibility Criteria
Terminology Fellowship
Candidates should be currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an advanced degree program (Master’s, Doctorate, or equivalent) in terminology, translation, a related linguistic field, or a technical discipline paired with strong linguistic skills. While prior experience in applied terminology is advantageous, it is not mandatory. Applicants must work in their native language. For 2026, applications are sought from native speakers of Arabic, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, all with excellent command of English.
Translation Fellowship
Applicants must be pursuing or have recently completed a Master’s, Doctorate, or equivalent degree in translation, terminology, a related linguistic discipline, or a technical field, provided they demonstrate robust linguistic ability. Experience in technical translation is favorable but not required. Candidates are expected to translate into their native language. For the 2026 cycle, applications are accepted only from those working in the following language pairs: Japanese to English and Korean to English.
Post-Editing Fellowship
Applicants should currently be enrolled in or have recently completed an advanced degree (Master’s, Doctorate, or equivalent) in translation/post-editing, terminology, a relevant linguistic discipline, or a technical field with strong linguistic competence. Prior post-editing or technical translation experience is beneficial but not essential. Candidates must post-edit into their native language. The 2026 call invites applications from candidates working in these language combinations: Chinese to English and English to French.
Translation Technology Fellowship
This fellowship targets applicants enrolled in or recently graduated from advanced degree programs (Master’s, Doctorate, or equivalent) in translation technology, translation with a technology component, or technical fields such as computational linguistics, information technology, or artificial intelligence. Previous experience with translation technology is advantageous but not mandatory. Candidates should be proficient in either English or French.
Technical Specialist Fellowship
Candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in a technical or scientific discipline, with priority fields including engineering, textiles, mining, and telecommunications. Demonstrated professional experience in industry or research is required, alongside high proficiency in English and a second language, preferably among Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish.
Application Process
Interested applicants should submit their applications by accessing the relevant Fellowship vacancy announcements. It is possible to apply for more than one fellowship type if the eligibility criteria are met, but separate applications must be submitted for each position sought.
After an initial review, shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete one or more assessments, including terminology, translation, post-editing, and/or aptitude tests, depending on the fellowship type applied for.
For further details and to apply, please Visit the Official Webpage of the WIPO (Patent Cooperation Treaty) PCT Fellowship Program.
