European Patent Pipeline Program
Applications for the 2025 summer program are now closed.
What is it?
The Patent Pipeline Program (PPP) is a program launched by the National Council on Patent Practicum (NCPP) in partnership with Meta. This program has seen fantastic success in the U.S. for the last 3 years and we’re excited to bring this program into Europe with the launch of the European Patent Pipeline Program (EPPP).
The goal of the EPPP is to widen access to the private practice patent attorney profession by offering internships to STEM students. These internships offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to work closely alongside private practice patent attorneys and in-house patent professionals, thereby providing a unique hands-on opportunity to experience life as a patent attorney.
The EPPP internship will allow STEM students to gain valuable work experience within private practice at one of the London offices of our consortium IP firms (Kilburn & Strode, Murgitroyd, HLK and Withers & Rogers) for 8 weeks, shadowing and learning from qualified patent attorneys and taking on the real work and responsibilities of trainee patent attorneys. Not only that, but you will also be able to spend 2 weeks working directly within in-house intellectual property (IP) teams outside of private practice, observing the different work and business considerations facing IP teams at some of the most famous companies in Europe.
The patent attorney career path
Do you want to find a career where you can apply your knowledge of science and engineering to the protection and commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies, while working alongside world leading clients who are at the forefront of innovation? If so, a career as a patent attorney might be for you! Being a patent attorney gives you the chance to immerse yourself in a diverse range of cutting-edge technologies and grapple with fascinating legal challenges to protect these technologies.
To begin the path to qualifying as a patent attorney within Europe, you will need to have completed a STEM degree. After that, at least 3 years of work experience (typically as a trainee at a private practice firm) under the supervision of a qualified patent attorney is mandated before your final qualifying examinations. Those three years are an exciting time of learning and career progression, working alongside patent attorneys to advise clients on protecting their new technologies and the best ways to craft and manage their patent portfolios.
No two days are ever the same as a patent attorney! Throughout the course of your training, you will master the fundamentals of UK and European patent law, learn how to draft patent applications, take part in the prosecution of patent applications and interact with clients to help them deliver on their business goals.
What will I be doing during the internship?
Throughout this 10-week program, you will be given a unique insight in to the role and career of a patent attorney in both private practice and in-house. This will not only include assisting qualified patent attorneys to work on patent issues facing their clients, but also attending training sessions with individuals across the patent profession to kick-start your career as a private practice patent attorney. Your internship will therefore allow you to:
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Experience life as a private practice patent attorney by working directly with patent attorneys on real client work
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Understand the career of a private practice patent attorney to see whether it’s right for you
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Learn about the real-world impact of IP from in-house professionals
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Develop your knowledge through training and mentorship
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Meet patent professionals at different stages of their careers and from different firms and companies
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And more!
What happens at the end of the internship?
Not only will you have gained an unparalleled insight into the career and role of a patent attorney and a jump-start in your training, but also you will have the opportunity to apply for a trainee patent attorney position at either Kilburn & Strode or Murgitroyd.
Sounds great! How do I apply for this internship?
Applications for the 2025 program are now closed. The applications for 2026 will open towards the end of 2025. Stay tuned!