South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)

About SAIIPL

The South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law, or SAIIPL, was founded in 1952. It is a registered non-profit organisation and represents professionals who work with patents, trade marks, registered designs, copyright and unlawful competition. Its membership includes more than 230 legal experts. Members take part in international bodies such as WIPO, INTA, AIPPI and FICPI.

The Institute works to keep standards high and to promote ethical practice. It also offers student membership and runs a Trade Mark Practitioners' examination. Alongside these activities, it runs a bursary programme for young people who want to build careers in intellectual property (IP) law.

Patent work often needs a science or engineering background, while trade mark and copyright work leans on commercial and creative knowledge. The Institute offers student membership, which may be a useful way to meet practitioners and see how the field works before you qualify.

How SAIIPL supports students

IP law is a small, specialist field. Companies and inventors need lawyers who can protect brands, inventions and creative work, but few law students enter the area. The SAIIPL bursary tries to close this gap by supporting promising students early.

In recent years, the Institute has offered a small number of awards to students doing an LLB or LLM with a clear interest in IP law. Published reports for the 2026 round mention four bursaries of R70,000 each. Two were for Patent Law and two for Trade Mark and/or Copyright Law. The money was meant for outstanding tuition fees for the academic year.

The Institute has also supported previously disadvantaged junior advocates who are starting out in IP law. The number and value of awards can change every year, so treat these figures as a guide, not a promise.

What to know before applying

Published criteria for the recent round asked applicants to be South African citizens or permanent residents, aged between 18 and 30. They had to be registered for an LLB or LLM at a recognised South African university. Strong academic potential and eligibility for admission as an attorney were also required.

Competition is likely to be stiff because few awards are available. Your motivation therefore matters. Explain why IP law interests you, which track you prefer, and how you plan to use your degree. Mention any relevant modules, mooting, research or work experience.

The recent closing date was 31 March, but dates differ from year to year. Visit the SAIIPL website and its education or bursaries page for the current call, the application form and the list of supporting documents. We could not confirm any work-back condition, so ask the Institute directly if this is important to you.