WIPO City Award
Launched for the very first time in 2026 by the World Intellectual Property Organization, this award recognizes visionary cities – not for what they have already accomplished – but for the bold pledges they make to foster innovation and creativity over the coming year. Open to cities across all 194 WIPO Member States, the award seeks to applaud mayors and city leaders who are committed to ignite change that will strengthen their local innovation landscape, unlock the creative potential of its citizens, and ensure meaningful participation in shaping their communities' future, while inspiring other municipalities to pursue similar transformative approaches.
The award provides an opportunity to spotlight cities that are beacons of innovation and creativity. It also serves to acknowledge all involved, whether you are a mayor championing your city’s creative future, or an innovator, startup, artist or community organization ready to work with city leaders and inspire participation.
Applications are open from April 1 to June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (CEST).
Video: Celebrating cities committed to championing innovation and creativity
How to apply to the WIPO City of Innovation awards?
The WIPO City of Innovation award program is open to all cities in WIPO Member States with a limit of three cities per Member State. We encourage cities of all sizes to apply.
To apply, cities must follow these steps:
- Complete the online application form in one of the six UN languages (English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) with a pledge to champion innovation and creativity during a 12-month period, providing a clear vision on how your pledge will create nurturing environments for local innovation and creativity with a lasting impact.
- Get the application form signed off by a duly authorized city representative (e.g. the mayor, governor, head of the city).
- Submit a PDF copy of the online application form to WIPO by June 30, 2026 via your country’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva or, where no such Permanent Mission exists, via your Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Access our guidelines for more information on the application procedure and selection criteria [PDF].
Selection process fo the WIPO City of Innovation Awards
1. Applications open
2. Applications close
3. Announcement of the finalists
4. Award ceremony
Why should your city apply to become a WIPO City of Innovation?
Selected cities receive a comprehensive recognition package designed to maximize the impact of their pledges and provide lasting recognition of the city’s commitment to innovation excellence.
Selected cities receive a comprehensive recognition package designed to maximize the impact of their pledges and provide lasting recognition of their commitment to innovation excellence.
- Trophy: Winners receive a symbolic, specially crafted trophy.
- International spotlight: Cities gain exposure at the award ceremony and city representatives have the opportunity to network with innovation policymakers and the international intellectual property (IP) community. Travel expenses are covered for one city representative.
- Professional content creation: WIPO’s expert media team will work with you to document your city’s innovation initiatives in action and how pledges are being realized. The resulting content, if suitable, will be featured on select WIPO platforms and made available for your own use.
- Permanent city recognition: Winners receive the exclusive right to produce and display the official commemorative WIPO City of Innovation plaque in their cities. WIPO provides complete design specifications, while cities retain full discretion over placement and installation to maximize local impact and visibility.
WIPO City of Innovation trophy symbolism
The WIPO City of Innovation trophy symbolizes the transformative power of urban innovation through the elements of fire and water. Fire represents the spark of innovation – the technological ingenuity that transforms cities – and water reflects how creativity makes it possible to navigate around barriers and find new paths to filling every void, gradually shaping our community’s landscape and cultural identity. Rising from a foundation of natural stone – a symbol of cities’ enduring strength – fire and water come together as a dynamic whole, a testament to cities that embrace transformation through the interplay of bold innovation and a sustained creative vision.