Inventor Assistance Program: FAQs
For inventors and small businesses
There is no limit on how many IAP applications you can submit, so you are welcome to apply for the Program’s support on multiple inventions. Each your application will be considered separately by the National Screening Board of your country.
If you’re not selected, don’t be discouraged. You may submit a new IAP application with an improved version of your invention or apply with a completely different invention. You can contact your local Program’s focal point to better understand the reasons why your application was not selected.
No. You cannot ask your volunteer to help with another patent application without going through the IAP selection process. If you have another invention, you need to submit a new application via the IAP Online Platform to be considered for support by the National Screening Board.
You can file a patent application through the IAP in your country of residence. Some participating countries also allow regional patent applications to be filed under certain conditions.
Residency criteria are defined individually by each IAP participating country. Generally, you are considered a resident if you live in the country permanently, or your business is established in the country. For specific requirements, contact your local Program’s focal point as criteria may vary by country.
The IAP’s global network of volunteers can help secure your patent in other countries. We recommend working with your assigned volunteer to first file a PCT application within 12 months of your initial filing. This gives you additional time to decide where to file and raise funds. You may use the PCT Time Limit Calculator for computing essential deadlines.
Once you file a PCT application in the framework of the IAP, we can provide support to the national or regional phase of your PCT application in certain countries, including the countries of the European Patent Convention (EPC) and the United States of America.
Start by discussing international filing timelines with your volunteer. Then ask your volunteer to send us a request indicating countries where you want support. This request should be made at least six months before the national or regional phase of your PCT application is due (this is usually within 24 months after filing your initial patent application). Once the volunteers in selected countries are confirmed, you and your local volunteer would be able to contact them to discuss further steps.
Please note that while volunteer help remains free, international filing does involve official fees and other costs, which are your responsibility.
Though the IAP, volunteer commercialization specialists provide:
- General strategic guidance: Early-stage personalized advice to help you explore potential commercialization paths. This support will help you better understand possible options, explore different approaches you can take, and gather key insights you need to move forward.
- Targeted in-depth support: Advanced help when you are further along in your commercialization journey, based on your specific business objectives. This may include drafting license agreements, determining royalty rates, or preparing for negotiations.
Commercialization support becomes available after you file a patent application through the Program.
To check the status of your patent application, contact your volunteer or national/regional patent office directly. Since WIPO does not keep copies of prosecution files or patent applications, these sources will have the most current information about your application’s progress.
The IAP prioritizes the protection of your confidential information. You are only asked to provide a brief, non-confidential description of your invention. If the selection process in your country necessitates more detailed information, it will be handled with proper confidentiality. Access to any sensitive details is limited to the IAP country focal point, National Screening Board members, and the assigned volunteer for selected applications. If you have any confidentiality concerns, contact the Program’s focal point in your country.
In the context of the IAP, WIPO does not provide legal advice or assistance to IAP volunteers and applicants/beneficiaries. WIPO is an international intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation among its Member States to protect intellectual property worldwide and therefore does not advise private parties. WIPO facilitates the Program, supporting participating countries, providing infrastructure, and ensuring promotion. For more details refer to the IAP Guiding Principles, Structure and Governance.
For volunteers
No. Under-resourced inventors and small business typically file without any legal assistance. If an inventor’s idea proves commercially successful, they often become future paying clients seeking ongoing legal services.
Each IAP participating country determines eligibility criteria to ensure free assistance reaches only those who truly cannot afford market-rate services.
No. You are responsible for securing your own insurance in accordance with applicable national laws.
We still encourage you to apply. We continue to add countries to the Program. If your country joins, we will notify you. We also encourage you to contact your local patent authorities about making the IAP available in your country.
You can review all assigned cases for conflicts and availability before accepting. If you're unavailable or have a conflict, simply reject the assignment on the IAP Online Platform and the case will be reassigned to another volunteer.
Your volunteer application asks you to describe the services you offer to the Program. The Program never requests you to provide or to pay for other services you do not provide to the Program. For example, if you do not have the ability to conduct a prior art search, you will not be asked to provide that service. If it’s needed, you can be paired with a drafter or a mentor who will help to close a service gap.
No. The IAP does not require volunteers to accept a specific number of cases annually. Generally, volunteers may be assigned up to three cases per year, depending on the services needed and availability of other volunteers in specific technical fields.
Yes. IAP volunteers assist beneficiaries with filing local patent applications and PCT applications. If your beneficiary wishes to file abroad, you will facilitate the process by working with volunteers in other countries.
Upon your request, we can provide volunteers in selected countries (currently the countries of the European Patent Convention and the United States of America), for example, to support the national or regional phase of PCT applications. This request should be made at least six months before the national or regional phase of a PCT application is due. Please explain the cost of protection to the beneficiary before making your request.
Local volunteers support local beneficiaries. The Program has recently experienced a demand for filing between IAP participating countries. This is being tested on an ad-hoc basis, and a local volunteer might be asked to help a beneficiary from another IAP participating country, who wishes to protect their invention in the volunteer’s country, e.g. to support the national phase of a PCT application.
For governments
A country may be represented in the IAP by its Patent Office, or any other government agency, department, or office authorized to act on behalf of the Government regarding IAP activities.
Admission to the IAP is subject to the approval of the IAP Steering Committee, who evaluates applications based on:
- The IAP’s current capacity for new members.
- The state and capacity of the country’s local patent system.
- Current patent filings and grant rates for local applicants.
WIPO is ready to work with countries to develop their plans to join and implement the Program.
No. The IAP Steering Committee serves as the central governance body for the IAP and provides strategic direction and support to the Program. It’s made up of IP thought leaders, including the representatives of sponsor organizations and other stakeholders involved in the IAP.
The country IAP focal point is responsible for coordinating and managing the Program locally, including:
- Acting as the main point of contact with the WIPO IAP Team
- Coordinating the selection process with the National Screening Board (often serving as the Board’s secretary)
- Monitoring the national IAP dashboard and updating information on the IAP Online Platform
- Reviewing volunteer applications, admitting them to the Program, and maintaining an up-to-date roster of local volunteers using the IAP Online Platform
- Matching beneficiaries and local volunteers using the IAP Online Platform
- Providing ongoing support to both local IAP beneficiaries and volunteers
- Gathering insights and making suggestions for Program improvements.
For more details, refer to the IAP Guiding Principles, Structure and Governance
The National Screening Board plays a pivotal role in the IAP process, serving as the gateway for local inventors to access the Program’s benefits. Its main job is to review IAP applications and decide who qualifies for the Program in their country. Beyond selecting beneficiaries, the Board plays a crucial role in spotting promising inventions early on.
Each participating country determines the composition and procedures for its National Screening Board. There are no uniform terms of reference or charter regulating the work of the Board. It is recommended to include a mix of experts from the Patent Office, R&D community, and other national agencies responsible for innovation and business development. A diverse group brings a wealth of perspectives that can support local innovators.
To protect the interests of potential IAP beneficiaries, it is also recommended that the Board meet 4-6 times per year while maintaining strict confidentiality of all discussions. This approach safeguards the patentability of inventions under review.
No. The evaluation of IAP applications by the National Screening Board is not a patentability examination and does not impact any decision taken by the relevant Patent Office.
The IAP does not impose a limit on the number of inventors who may receive assistance. However, the availability of volunteers with specialized knowledge in particular technical fields cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, assess to assistance may vary depending on volunteer capacity.
WIPO coordinates and develops the IAP globally by:
- Managing new country admissions to the IAP.
- Collaborating with local authorities and focal points to facilitate the IAP in each participating country.
- Operating the IAP Online Platform.
- Maintaining volunteer rosters and matchmaking for non-participating jurisdictions.
- Providing the IAP Learning Module and supporting targeted capacity building for inventors.
- Assisting countries in developing their patent profession.
- Developing promotional materials and promoting the Program internationally.
- Facilitating knowledge sharing among participating countries.
- Addressing challenges related to sustainable development of the Program.
In this context, WIPO does not provide legal advice or assistance to IAP volunteers, applicants, or beneficiaries.
For more details, refer to the IAP Guiding Principles, Structure and Governance.
Sponsors play a vital role in expanding the Program’s reach and impact by promoting the IAP among through their networks, recruiting volunteers or offering additional value-added services to IAP beneficiaries.
The IAP Online Platform serves as the digital infrastructure for the Program. It is administered by WIPO and available to all participants in the Program at no cost.
The Platform contains the complete workflow for managing inventor and volunteer’s applications, including the matchmaking process, provides focal points with national IAP dashboards, and offers comprehensive search capabilities.
It is a multilingual tool that allows volunteers, beneficiaries, and focal points to work in their preferred language. The Platform is available in different languages and can be further translated to meet the needs of new and existing participating countries.
Have any other question?
If you couldn’t find an answer on our website, feel free to contact us and we’ll do our best to help. If your question is about how to use the IAP Oline Platform, refer to the related FAQ.