BOKU is member of the strategic partner universities of the Pan-European Seal Professional Traineeship Programme.

The Pan-European Seal Professional Traineeship Programme is a vehicle for early talent detection among Europe’s brightest and highest-achieving graduates. It targets young, aspiring graduates from several academic backgrounds (IP and non-IP) who will be sponsored by the EUIPO and the EPO for one year-long, paid traineeships.

Traineeships take place either at the EUIPO or the EPO with a monthly training allowance, as well as other benefits.

Trainees have the opportunity to benefit from on-the-job coaching by staff, as well as online training, e-courses in their field of expertise and language courses in one of the official languages of each office.

The internships will start in September 2026. Trainees are paid a monthly compensation

Requirements

Requirements for the EPO:

  • You should be a national of one of the EPO member states.
  • Diploma of completed university studies at bachelor's level or equivalent.
  • Excellent knowledge of one of the EPO’s official language (English, German, French).
  • Deadline for students´ application: 09 March 2026.

Requirements for EUIPO:

  • Your name should be shortlisted by a university that is a member of the Pan-European Seal network.
  • Be a national of at least one EU Member State (though a limited number of trainees from non-EU countries may be selected).
  • Hold a degree from a PES Member University.
  • Have at least a certified CEF level B1 in English, French, German, Italian, and/or Spanish.
  • Previous participation in international programmes, such as Erasmus+, is a plus.
  • Additional skills in customer service, communication, problem-solving, innovation and leadership, teamwork and flexibility.
  • Be eager to work in an international environment.
  • It is mandatory to attach the certificate of either the ‘EUTM in a Nutshell’ or ‘RCD in a Nutshell’ course completion to your application: Academy Learning Portal.

Benefits

Benefits EPO:

  • Salary of ca. €2 300 net monthly in the first year, rising to ca. €3 300 net in the second and third year.

  • Financial outboarding package* of ca. €9 000 after completing the
    first year of the Programme and ca. €40 000 upon completion the three-
    years of the Programme.

    * includes indemnity and severance grant (including accrued pension rights)

Benefits EUIPO:

  • For the 2024/2025 edition, trainees in Alicante will receive a €1 200 monthly grant, while those in Brussels or Luxembourg will receive €1 400 per month.

How to apply

Apply for a one year paid traineeship at the EPO Patent Office or the EUIPO  - European Union Intellectual Property Office in the framework of the Pan-European Seal Professional Traineeship Programme, with the possibility for an extension for up to three years, based on merits and performance.

To apply for the traineeship at the EUIPO, your name must be put forward by a PES Member (BOKU).

Please read through the guidelines and information provided below and send us your application until Feb 16th, 2026 (techtransfer@boku.ac.at) indicating your field of competence.

 

EPO:

 

EUIPO:

Further information

Further Info sessions:

Online info session about the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) on Wednesday, 14 January 2025, 10:30–12:30