Inventor Assistance Program

You can apply as a volunteer using the IAP Online Platform. You will need a WIPO Account to complete the online application form. We will get back to you about your acceptance into the Program.

To be eligible as a volunteer, you must be qualified to practice before the patent office of the country where you are volunteering services. You must also accept in writing the guiding principles .

If you are from another jurisdiction, we still encourage you to apply. We will let you know when we are accepting volunteers from your country.

Inventors and small businesses who live in an IAP participating country and meet the local eligibility criteria can apply for support through the IAP.

To qualify for the IAP, you must:

• live in an IAP participating country;
• demonstrate basic knowledge of the patent system (by successfully completing the IAP Learning Module or having a patent application*);
• meet the financial criteria to qualify as "under-resourced"; and
• have an invention that qualifies for the IAP, according to the standards in the participating country (check specific national eligibility criteria).

The National Screening Board in each participating country determines eligibility and selects beneficiaries based on the number of available volunteers.

*Some participating countries require potential beneficiaries to take the IAP Learning Module, even if you have a pending patent application.

Applying to the IAP is easy:

1. Apply
   File your application for assistance on the IAP Online Platform. Before applying make sure you have a WIPO Account.
2. Get selected
   The National Screening Board will review your application to determine your eligibility based on local criteria.
3. Get matched
   Once selected, you will be matched with a local volunteer to navigate the patent application process

For specifics on each country, please refer to the following information:

• Chile
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Kenya
• Morocco
• Peru
• Philippines
• Singapore
• South Africa