KEY DATES OF THE EPO/EUIPO PAN-EUROPEAN SEAL PROGRAMME
28 February:
Deadline for university shortlists to be sent to the EPO and the EUIPO
a separate shortlist for each organisation:
EPO Shortlist form for Edition 2025/2026
EUIPO Shortlist form for Edition 2025/2026
14 February – 15 March:
Vacancies open online and application deadline for candidates (for the EPO)
1 – 31 March:
Vacancies open online and application deadline for candidates (for the EUIPO)
Mid-September:
Programme start date at the EPO and the EUIPO
KEY CONTENT FROM OUR DISCUSSION TODAY
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TOPIC |
EPO |
EUIPO |
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The most important info |
The application to the programme has 2 steps:
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Most important contact |
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Nationality requirement |
EU countries + 10 % outside EU (from all around the world) |
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Degree requirement |
At least bachelor’s degree latest upon the programme start
Alumni may be shortlisted as well (independently of when they graduated) |
At least bachelor’s degree latest upon the programme start.
Alumni may also be shortlisted, but only those who have graduated in the last 2 calendar years. |
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Language requirement |
Excellent level of one of the EPO official languages (English, German, French)
Candidates can self-asses their language level in the application, if the candidates have a language certificate, they shall attach it to their application for completeness but if they are not having one, no need to obtain it. The language will be tested latest in the interview. |
– At least B2 in English. – Proficiency in another EU language (depending on the profile). |
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How maximum old can the degree be to be eligible to apply for the programme? |
No time constraint. Requirement is to have obtained the degree before the programme start (15.09.2025) regardless of when the degree was obtained before. |
Candidates should have obtained their degree by the start of the programme (mid-September 2025) but not before January 2023. |
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Sites |
Munich, The Hague, Berlin, Vienna, Brussels |
Alicante Brussels and Luxembourg (2 posts) |
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Duration |
1 + 2 years extension upon selection |
1 year |
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Compensation |
Ca 2200 EUR net in year 1 Ca 3300 EUR net in year 2 and year 3 Severance grant upon the programme end |
1 200 EUR net |
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Status & Insurance |
Status of internal employee, private international insurance |
Status of trainee, insurance needs to be covered by each trainee (public or private, with EU health insurance card) |
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Accommodation support |
Mainly through the mentoring group of current young professionals at the EPO (200+) – the newcoming young professionals are put in touch with the current ones (they share info when they leave their flat/share they pass to the newcoming ones etc.)
Two info sessions on admin matter in summer with tips and tricks on accommodation search. |
Mainly through social media groups created by former PES trainees where practical information about accommodation and other relevant aspects of moving to Alicante are shared. |
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Can candidates that were shortlisted in the past be nominated in the current session? |
Yes, this is possible as long as the candidate still fulfils all the criteria (nominated by the university, degree, language). The candidate will participate to new selection competition in the current edition. |
Yes, this is possible as long as the candidate still fulfils all the criteria (nominated by the university, degree, language). The candidate will participate to new selection competition in the current edition. |
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How many students/graduates/alumni can be shortlisted per university ? |
No ceiling. We are happy to receive all talented potentials on the shortlist. |
No ceiling. We are happy to receive all talented potentials on the shortlist. |
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How to use MS Forms for shortlisting students |
Click on the link above in the email (separate one for EPO and EUIPO, thank you for shortlisting the same student only for one institution)
For each candidate you submit one MS Forms, you can submit as many MS Forms as you like.
You can submit the nominated students in several batches. The tool is open as of now until 28 February |
Click on the link above in the email (separate one for EPO and EUIPO, thank you for shortlisting the same student only for one institution)
For each candidate you submit one MS Forms, you can submit as many MS Forms as you like.
You can submit nominated students in several batches. The tool will be open from 1 to 28 February. |
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Participants hired as employees after the programme (as of July 2022) |
14 |
n/a
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