Internship Program at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

About the opportunity

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Internship Program offers a transformative journey designed to develop talent through professional experience and learning. Interns work in a variety of roles at the forefront of innovation and creativity, contributing to projects that protect and promote intellectual property globally. Most internship positions are based at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The program is divided into Undergraduate (Category I) and Graduate (Category II) tracks, catering to individuals from diverse geographical backgrounds and fields such as law, international relations, economics, IT, translation, and communications.

Funding and benefits

• Monthly stipend of 1,645 Swiss francs for Undergraduate Interns (Category I) to contribute toward lodging, board, and local transportation.
• Monthly stipend of 2,170 Swiss francs for Graduate Interns (Category II) to contribute toward lodging, board, and local transportation.
• Reimbursement of roundtrip travel expenses up to 1,500 Swiss francs for interns who are nationals of developing, least developed, or transitioning countries residing in their home country at recruitment.
• Assistance with Swiss visa formalities if necessary.
• 10 days of official holidays per year and 2.5 days of annual leave per month.
• Comprehensive medical and professional accident insurance coverage with full premiums paid by WIPO.

Who can apply?

• Undergraduate Internship (Category I): Holders of a first-level bachelor's degree obtained within the last two years prior to the application date; undergraduate students in their third or fourth year of study or needing an internship as part of degree requirements; or students of a first advanced university degree (master's) who have not completed coursework or final thesis.
• Graduate Internship (Category II): Holders of an advanced master's degree obtained within the last two years prior to the application date; graduate students who have completed coursework but not yet their thesis; or graduate students who obtained a first advanced university degree and are pursuing an additional degree.
• Language requirements: Professional written and spoken knowledge of English and/or French.
• Diversity: Open to applicants of diverse geographical backgrounds and all genders.
• Exclusions: Former interns cannot apply for another internship regardless of category.

Required documents

• Detailed profile via the online recruitment system
• Responses to the job questionnaire
• Letter of motivation

When to apply

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Every year a new Internship Roster is advertised.
• Submitted applications are saved for a period of one year.

How to apply

• Check the current Internship Roster on the WIPO career page to ensure requirements are met.
• Register on the online recruitment system and set up a candidate profile, indicating preferred areas of work.
• Submit the application including a detailed profile, job questionnaire responses, and a motivation letter before the deadline.
• Wait to receive confirmation of receipt via email and undergo review by the human resources team.
• Selected candidates may be invited for an online interview (lasting 30 to 45 minutes) or test.
• Receive an offer email to confirm acceptance and tentative starting date, followed by an official internship contract.

Additional information

• Contract duration is between 2 and 6 months for Category I and between 2 and 12 months for Category II, depending on the position.
• Prior experience with another UN organization does not disqualify applicants.
• There is no specific age limit for the program.