🔴 Status: OPEN | Closes at 150 Applications — Apply Immediately | Source: USAJOBS.gov
USPTO Student Intern Program 2026 — Paid Federal Internship | Apply Now on USAJOBS
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), under the Department of Commerce, is hiring Student Trainees for its 2026 Intern Program. This is a paid federal internship at the GS-4 grade level, based in Alexandria, Virginia, with a salary range of $41,659 to $60,593 per year (pro-rated for the internship period).
The internship runs for 10–12 weeks starting early June 2026 and gives students hands-on experience inside one of the most unique federal agencies — the agency that protects American innovation, patents, trademarks, and intellectual property. This position closes as soon as 150 applications are received — meaning it can close any day. Apply now.
⚠️ This announcement closes when 150 applications are received — not on a fixed date. Apply immediately.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Student Trainee – USPTO Intern Program |
| Agency | United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) |
| Department | Department of Commerce |
| Job Announcement Number | TMCO-OOPE-26-12934839 |
| Control Number | 866650900 |
| Location | Alexandria, Virginia (In-Person; some virtual options available) |
| Program Type | Pathways Internship Program (Excepted Service) |
| Work Schedule | Full-Time |
| Appointment Type | Temporary — Not to Exceed (NTE) 90 Days |
| Start Date | Early June 2026 |
| Duration | 10–12 weeks (Summer 2026) |
| Pay Scale & Grade | GS-4 (with potential for GS-5) |
| Salary Range | $41,659 – $60,593 per year (Alexandria locality, pro-rated) |
| Security Level | Public Trust — Low Risk |
| Who May Apply | Currently Enrolled US Students Only |
| Stipend | $4,000 supplemental stipend available (Partnership for Public Service) |
| Relocation | Not Authorized |
| USAJOBS Link | Click Here to Apply |
About the Role
As a USPTO Student Trainee, you will receive practical, hands-on experience working inside the federal agency responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks that protect America’s inventions, brands, and creative works. You will engage directly with agency leadership, explore federal career pathways in intellectual property and administration, and complete meaningful developmental assignments that build professional skills valued across the entire federal government.
This is not a “coffee and copies” internship. USPTO interns work alongside career federal professionals on real assignments in areas including patent operations, trademark services, policy, information technology, legal affairs, outreach, and data analytics. Many USPTO interns go on to full-time federal careers — including as Patent Examiners, which is one of the most in-demand and well-compensated entry-level federal positions available.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Engage directly with USPTO agency leadership through regular senior-level briefing sessions and leadership access programs
- Complete routine and recurring developmental work assignments that build knowledge of USPTO functions, principles, and practices in innovation and intellectual property
- Conduct research, analysis, and data work in support of assigned USPTO office or division
- Assist in developing detailed reports, briefing materials, presentations, and analysis documents
- Attend and report on internal meetings, hearings, and USPTO program sessions
- Receive structured training and professional development on federal government operations, USPTO mission, and intellectual property topics
- Explore and identify federal career pathways of interest for post-graduation employment
- Collaborate with full-time USPTO employees and fellows on project-based assignments
- Learn about patent examination, trademark registration, and the full lifecycle of intellectual property protection in the United States
Eligibility & Requirements
Student Eligibility
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | Must be currently enrolled at least half-time in an accredited high school, community college, college, university, or graduate school |
| Degree Programs | All majors welcome — Business, IT, Law, Science, Engineering, Communications, Policy, Finance, etc. |
| Spring/Summer 2026 Graduates | NOT eligible unless accepted for enrollment in a new degree program — must submit proof of acceptance |
| GPA — Undergraduate | Minimum 2.5 GPA (cumulative — no rounding) |
| GPA — Graduate | Minimum 3.0 GPA |
| Citizenship | US Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the US only |
| Age | No minimum age requirement (high school students eligible) |
How to Qualify by Grade
| Grade | Salary | Education Required |
|---|---|---|
| GS-4 | $41,659 – $54,158/yr | Completion of 2 full years of post-high school study OR Associate’s degree from an accredited institution |
| GS-5 | $46,618 – $60,593/yr | Completion of 4-year bachelor’s degree OR 3 years of general experience (1 year at GS-4 level) |
Other Requirements
- Background Investigation: Public Trust (Low Risk) — required for all interns
- Drug Test: May be required
- In-Person Reporting: Position requires reporting to the Alexandria, VA duty station in person
- Academic Credit: May be arranged through your school for participation in this program
- Continuation: Strong performers may be considered for future Pathways appointments or permanent positions after graduation
Salary, Stipend & Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Hourly Pay | GS-4/GS-5 Alexandria locality rate (~$20–$29/hr equivalent) |
| Annual Rate (Pro-Rated) | $41,659 – $60,593/yr pro-rated for 10–12 week program |
| Supplemental Stipend | Up to $4,000 summer stipend available via Partnership for Public Service |
| Academic Credit | Eligible to receive academic credit through your institution |
| Federal Work Experience | Counts as official federal service on your resume |
| Health Insurance | May be eligible for FEHB depending on appointment terms |
| Pathways to Permanent Hire | Interns may be non-competitively converted to permanent federal positions after graduation |
| Networking | Direct access to USPTO leadership, federal professionals, and IP industry experts |
| Professional Development | Structured training sessions, leadership briefings, career exploration events |
| Location | Alexandria, VA — close to Washington DC, with access to the entire federal job market |
How to Apply
Step 1 — Create a free account on USAJOBS.gov
Step 2 — Prepare your resume (2–4 pages for students — include education, GPA, relevant coursework, any work/volunteer experience, and skills)
Step 3 — Prepare your unofficial college transcripts — required to verify enrollment and GPA
Step 4 — If you are a Spring/Summer 2026 graduate, prepare proof of acceptance into a new degree program
Step 5 — Search for Announcement #TMCO-OOPE-26-12934839 or apply directly: www.usajobs.gov/job/866650900
Step 6 — Complete the online application questionnaire and submit all documents before the 150-application limit is reached
⚠️ Critical Warning: This announcement has no fixed closing date — it closes automatically when 150 applications are received. Based on typical USPTO internship demand, this can close within 24–48 hours of posting. Check your USAJOBS account immediately after applying to confirm submission. Contact USPTO Recruitment at Recruitment@uspto.gov for application assistance.
Veterans’ Preference
Veterans with an honorable discharge are eligible for 5-point or 10-point hiring preference on this Pathways Internship position. If you are a student veteran, indicate your veterans’ preference on your USAJOBS profile and include your DD-214 in your application documents. USPTO actively supports veteran hiring at all levels.
About the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
The United States Patent and Trademark Office is the federal agency responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks that protect the intellectual property of American inventors, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Founded in 1790, USPTO has granted over 11 million patents and registered over 7 million trademarks — protecting the innovations that drive the US economy. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, USPTO employs approximately 13,000 people, including over 9,000 patent examiners across all technical disciplines. A career at USPTO offers exceptional stability, competitive pay, remote work options, and the satisfaction of protecting American innovation. Many of the most rewarding federal careers in technology, law, and business administration begin with a USPTO internship.
Disclaimer
FederalJobsAlert.us is an independent job notification website. This listing is sourced from USAJOBS.gov for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest details and apply directly at www.usajobs.gov/job/866650900. We are not affiliated with USPTO, the Department of Commerce, or any US government agency.
Sources:
- Student Trainee – USPTO Intern Program – USAJOBS #866650900
- Student Programs – USPTO.gov
- Explore Our Student Programs – USPTO.gov
- Paid Internship Opportunities – USPTO.gov
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