Patent Pro Bono Program
Provides free volunteer patent attorney support for limited-resource inventors in the United States.
The Patent Pro Bono Program connects financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses with volunteer patent attorneys and agents through a nationwide network of regional programs. Assistance covers preparation and filing of patent applications — no cash changes hands. NOT A GRANT: This is in-kind donated legal services only. Inventors must have gross household income below approximately 3× the federal poverty level, have either filed a provisional application or completed certificate training, and be able to describe their invention's features. The $39.3M+ cited in program materials represents the market value of donated attorney time (2015–2022), not USPTO cash disbursements.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.