Information about the 'Candidate Support Programme (CSP)'

Starting in 2026, the new Candidate Support Programme (CSP) will expand its support to candidates preparing for the European Patent Administration Certification (EPAC).

EPAC is a pan-European certification, designed for paralegals, patent administrator and formalities officers to validate their knowledge and skills related to the administration of patent procedures, including filing, prosecution and grant of European and international patent applications before the EPO, as well as post-grant procedures including Unitary patent. 

Within bilateral cooperation agreements from 2026 onwards, the Netherlands can select yearly one EPAC candidate to receive financial, tutoring and training support to prepare for the EPAC exam in October 2026.

The CSP application process for EPAC 2026 opens on 30 January 2026 and closes on 17 February 2026. The Netherlands Patent Office will select the candidate by early March and CSP training and tutoring sessions will kick-off in mid-March.

The conditions for participation and the link to the application form will follow in mid-January.