WIPO Internship Program in Geneva – CHF 1,645–2,170 Monthly Stipend
The WIPO Internship Program offers professional experience and learning opportunities for students and recent graduates. Most internship positions are based at WIPO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Placements last between two and 12 months depending on the internship category and position, with monthly stipends ranging from CHF 1,645 to CHF 2,170.
Quick Overview
Programme: WIPO Internship Program
Opportunity Type: Internship
Organization: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: 2–12 months depending on category and position
Monthly Stipend: CHF 1,645–2,170
Eligible Applicants: Eligible students and recent graduates
Language: Professional written and spoken knowledge of English and/or French
About the WIPO Internship Program
WIPO offers internship opportunities to students and recent graduates interested in gaining professional experience in areas connected to innovation and creativity.
Interns may work across different professional fields, including:
• Law
• International relations
• Political science
• Economics
• Statistics
• Information Technology
• Technical cooperation
• Project management
• Administration
• Translation
• Marketing
• Communications
WIPO welcomes applicants from diverse geographical backgrounds and all genders.
The programme is divided into two internship categories with different academic eligibility rules, contract durations, and stipend levels.
Category I: Undergraduate Internship
Category I covers eligible undergraduate-level candidates and certain students pursuing their first advanced university degree.
Applicants may qualify if they are:
• Holders of a first-level university degree, such as a bachelor’s degree, obtained within the two years before the internship application date.
• Undergraduate students in their third or fourth year of study.
• Undergraduate students who need to complete an internship as part of their degree requirements.
• Students pursuing a first advanced university degree, such as a master’s, who have not completed both their coursework and final thesis.
Category I internships last between two and six months, depending on the position.
Category I Stipend
Category I interns receive:
✓ CHF 1,645 per month
The stipend is intended to contribute toward lodging, board, and local transportation costs.
Category II: Graduate Internship
Category II is intended for eligible graduate-level candidates.
Applicants may qualify if they are:
• Holders of an advanced university degree, such as a master’s degree, obtained within the two years before the internship application date.
• Graduate students who have completed their coursework but have not completed their thesis.
• Graduate students who have obtained their first advanced university degree and are pursuing an additional degree.
Category II internships last between two and 12 months, depending on the position.
Category II Stipend
Category II interns receive:
✓ CHF 2,170 per month
The stipend is intended to contribute toward lodging, board, and local transportation costs.
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Additional Benefits
Both Category I and Category II interns may receive additional programme support.
Confirmed benefits include:
✓ Reimbursement of round-trip travel expenses of up to CHF 1,500 for eligible interns who are nationals of developing, least developed, or transitioning countries and reside in their home country at the time of recruitment
✓ Assistance with Swiss visa formalities where necessary
✓ 10 days of official holidays per year
✓ 2.5 days of annual leave for each month of the internship
✓ Comprehensive medical and professional accident insurance
✓ Full payment of the applicable insurance premium by WIPO
Travel reimbursement applies only to candidates who meet the conditions stated by WIPO.
Language Requirements
Applicants must have professional written and spoken knowledge of:
• English; and/or
• French.
The programme page does not require applicants to fall within a specific age range.
However, WIPO describes its internships as learning and training opportunities for students and recent graduates.
Previous Internship Rules
Applicants who previously completed an internship with WIPO cannot apply for another WIPO internship, regardless of category.
However, completing an internship with another United Nations organization does not prevent a candidate from applying to WIPO’s Internship Program.
Applicants who graduated within the previous two years may still qualify, subject to the relevant category requirements.
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Application Process
WIPO uses an Internship Roster and online recruitment system for internship applications.
Applicants should:
• Review the current Internship Roster and confirm that they meet the relevant requirements.
• Register in WIPO’s online recruitment system.
• Create and complete their candidate profile.
• Indicate their preferred area of work.
• Complete the relevant sections of the online application.
• Provide responses to the job questionnaire.
• Submit a motivation letter.
• Submit the application before the deadline indicated for the relevant roster or position.
WIPO states that only information entered in its online recruitment system is used to assess an applicant’s profile.
Submitted applications are saved for one year.
Review and Selection Process
Applications are reviewed against the qualifications listed in the Internship Roster and the applicant’s motivation letter.
Suitable applicants may be invited to:
• An online interview; or
• A test.
Interviews normally last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Candidates are assessed against WIPO’s organizational competencies.
Applicants selected for an internship receive an email informing them of the decision. They are then asked to confirm acceptance and a tentative starting date.
After acceptance, WIPO issues an official internship contract.
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Internship Roster and Application Timing
WIPO advertises a new Internship Roster every year.
The roster is generic and is not linked to one specific internship position. Applications may be shared with relevant WIPO areas and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Candidates should check the current Internship Roster for available opportunities and the applicable submission deadline before applying.
Official Link
Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.
