Patent Scan

The Patent Scan of the Austrian Patent Office offers students of Austrian universities a free research service: Through a worldwide search of around 100 million patent documents, passages and innovations in the selected technical field are identified. The evaluation is oriented towards the topics of the planned thesis and provides well-founded insights into current patent searches, patent literature, as well as the specific terminology of patent law. The aim of the service is to optimize the scientific research process and to provide participants with a solid foundation for writing their thesis. Support is provided by experienced patent experts who also offer tips on interpreting patent claims and search strategies.

Eligible for funding are enrolled students at universities, universities of applied sciences, or comparable institutions in Austria who can provide proof of registration or planning of a thesis. Applications can be submitted year-round between March 1, 2024, and May 30, 2030. Required are proof of enrollment and a brief description of the thesis topic. Participation is completely free of charge; there are no co-payments or publication fees. Further details on the application process and online registration are available at www.patentamt.at/patentscan. This service supports academic success by providing practical access to innovation databases and sustainably enhancing the quality of scientific work.