North Macedonia is participating in Project 4.4 "Foster a higher number of European patent attorneys and patent paralegals (New Candidate Support Program)” within the Bilateral cooperation agreement with the EPO.
The new CSP aims to enhance the ratio of EQE professionals to grandfathers and to address gender disparity with a main objective to augment EQE-qualified representation across all member states.
EQE candidates eligible for the CSP 2025 must reside and work in an EPO member state where:
Up to two EQE candidates per qualified Member State (MS) per criterion (as outlined above) can be supported annually. If a Member State qualifies under both criteria, support may extend to a maximum of four EQE candidates.
North Macedonia meets the eligibility requirements under both criteria.
- Conditions:
· The completed application form
· Proof of permanent residency (for a minimum of the last six months)
· A motivation letter
· A letter of support from the employer
· Proof of enrolment for the EQE 2026
- Link to the application form: https://epn.epo.org/form/candidate-support-programme
a. The link will open on 8 July.
b. The link will remain open during the CSP application period, i.e. between 8 July and 15 August 2025 only.
However, if any questions on CSP or EQE arise, candidates are requested to re-direct their queries to EQC portal, where they can contact the Examination Secretariat directly.