Preliminary Patent Pro Bono Eligibility

What this checks: This tool screens the common federal Patent Pro Bono Program criteria described by the USPTO: household income, knowledge of the patent system, and having an actual invention rather than merely an idea.

This is a preliminary screening, not an application to a particular clinic. Regional Patent Pro Bono Programs may establish their own current admission criteria and income limits. Do not enter confidential invention details here.

1. Invention

Do you have an actual invention, rather than merely an idea? Yes No

The USPTO says the inventor must have an invention and should be able to describe it so someone else could make and use it.

2. Knowledge of the patent system

How do you demonstrate knowledge of the patent system? I have a current provisional or nonprovisional patent application on file with the USPTO. I have successfully completed the applicable patent-system certificate training. Neither.

3. Financial eligibility

State of residence

The state is used only to apply the 2026 HHS poverty guideline. It is not a clinic-geography eligibility test.

Household size Gross annual household income

Use gross household income, not take-home pay. The tool compares it with 300% of the applicable 2026 HHS poverty guideline.