Are you a recent UM graduate, or are you nearing the end of your course? Are you wondering what to do next?
The Pan-European Seal Young Professionals Programme, starting this September, provides exceptional university graduates with the opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience in a multicultural environment either at the European Patent Office (EPO) and the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), making it an excellent step forward after graduating!
The European Patent Office is the organ of the intergovernmental European Patent Organisation and is responsible for granting European patents, including drawing up European search reports and examination of European Patent applications. The European Union Intellectual Property Office is the European Union Agency responsible for registering European Union trademarks and European Union designs in the EU, and for running the EU Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.
The Programme is open to University of Malta graduates who have obtained a full undergraduate, masters or doctorate degree or its equivalent no later than two years prior to the date of the application or University of Malta students who are currently enrolled in the final year of studies with all coursework and examinations due to be completed by September 2025. Students who are currently on exchange at the University of Malta must apply through their home institution and are not eligible to apply through the University of Malta.
Applicants who are interested are requested to submit their CV and a motivation letter to the Corporate Research and Knowledge Transfer Office by Friday, 14 February. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited in for a meeting, between the 17-21 February, with the University of Malta Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO). Following this, the KTO will submit a list of recommended candidates to the EPO and EUIPO. Nominated candidates will then receive further instructions to submit their applications directly to the respective institution, along with any additional required documents. The official applications are to be submitted through the respective websites within the periods noted below:
EPO between 14 Feb - 15 March 2025 applications period (guidelines available online). More information can be found on the slide deck available online.
EUIPO between 1 March - 31 March 2025 applications period (guidelines available online). More information can be found on the brochure available online.
Applicants may only submit an application to one of the institutions and only those applicants who have been nominated by the UM will be reviewed by the respective institution.
To learn more, register online. For any further queries, kindly contact the Corporate Research and Knowledge Transfer Office.