The WIPO Japan Office, with support from the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global), has opened applications for its 2026 Short-Term Fellowship Programme for international students enrolled at universities or graduate schools in Japan.
The five-day programme provides participants with practical exposure to intellectual property (IP) through training at leading Japanese patent law firms. It is particularly suited to students interested in intellectual property law, IP-related careers, or working with international organisations such as WIPO.
WIPO Japan Fellowship 2026 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | WIPO Japan Short-Term Fellowship Programme |
| Year | 2026 |
| Location | Japan |
| Duration | 5 days |
| Target group | International students in Japan |
| Study level | University or graduate school |
| Field | Any major, with interest in intellectual property |
| Participation fee | Free |
| Language | English and Japanese |
| Host institutions | SEIWA PATENT & LAW and SOEI Intellectual Property Law |
| Training dates | November 24–30 or November 30–December 4, 2026 |
| Deadline | September 13, 2026 |
| Financial support | Travel and accommodation costs may be reimbursed depending on residential area. |
About the Programme
The WIPO Japan Short-Term Fellowship is designed to give international students studying in Japan hands-on experience in intellectual property.
Participants will undertake their training at Japanese patent law firms and may be placed in groups of up to five participants. Customized programmes may also be arranged depending on participants’ areas of study or interests.
The programme is an opportunity for students to better understand how intellectual property systems operate in practice while gaining exposure to the Japanese IP environment.
What Will Fellows Do?
Programme activities may include:
- Lectures on intellectual property and IP strategy
- Practical training
- Office work
- Visits to relevant institutions
- Visits to the Japan Patent Office
- Visits to intellectual property courts
- Presentations about participants’ home-country IP systems
- Presentations on successful IP case studies
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a foreign nationality
- Be currently enrolled at a Japanese university or graduate school
- Be studying any major
- Be from a developing country
- Be able to communicate in English and Japanese
- Have an interest in intellectual property law and related fields
Applicants from countries classified as either “Lower-middle income” or “Low income” by the World Bank, or “Medium” or “Low” in the UNDP Human Development Index, are eligible under the programme’s country criteria.
Desirable Qualifications
Applicants with some previous knowledge of intellectual property are desirable.
An interest in pursuing a career with international organisations such as the United Nations is also considered desirable.
Fellowship Training Dates
Applicants can choose between two training periods:
Option 1: November 24–30, 2026
Option 2: November 30–December 4, 2026
The programme is five days in duration.
Host Institutions
The tentative host institutions are:
- SEIWA PATENT & LAW
- SOEI Intellectual Property Law
Assignments will be made according to participants’ areas of expertise.
Is the Programme Fully Funded?
The programme is free of charge, meaning participants do not pay a participation fee.
In addition, depending on the candidate’s residential area, travel expenses to the venue city and accommodation costs may be reimbursed.
The source does not state that all expenses will necessarily be fully covered for every participant, so applicants should not assume that the programme is completely funded.
How to Apply
Applicants need to complete the official application form and submit it together with their CV in Japanese or English.
Applications should be sent to the WIPO Japan Office by email.
Download the WIPO Japan 2026 application form
Selected applicants will be invited to participate in further assessment and/or an interview.
Application Deadline
The deadline is:
September 13, 2026
Students interested in the opportunity should prepare their CV and application form well before the deadline.
Why Apply?
The WIPO Japan fellowship could be valuable for students interested in:
- Intellectual property law
- Patent law
- Innovation and technology
- IP strategy
- International development
- International organisations
- Japanese intellectual property systems
- Careers at WIPO and other international organisations
The five-day format also makes it possible for eligible students already studying in Japan to gain specialised professional exposure without committing to a lengthy internship.
Final Thoughts
The WIPO Japan 2026 Short-Term Fellowship Programme offers international students enrolled at Japanese universities or graduate schools a short, practical introduction to intellectual property work. Participation is free, and selected participants may receive support for travel and accommodation depending on their residential location.
The programme will take place in November 2026, with applicants able to choose between two training periods. Applications close on September 13, 2026.
Read the official WIPO Japan fellowship announcement
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