INPI published on June 29, 2026, the Electronic Accreditation Notice No. 90.001/2026, opening doors for professionals across Brazil to provide prior art search and state-of-the-art definition services for patent applications. It is the first time the Institute has structured the outsourcing of this critical stage of patent examination.
The model is simple: remote work, without exclusive dedication, payment per delivery. Each completed search is worth R$ 1,025.62. For those with technical training and knowledge in industrial property, it is a concrete opportunity to act as a public service provider without leaving home.
What is a prior art search and why it matters
Before granting a patent, INPI needs to verify if the application meets the requirements of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. A prior art search is the survey of existing technical documents and patents that may oppose the application — it is the factual basis upon which the examiner makes their decision.
Historically, INPI conducted these searches internally (dispatch 6.22) or utilized searches already performed by foreign offices such as USPTO and EPO for applications with foreign counterparts (dispatch 6.21). This model, however, has limitations: the patent backlog in Brazil is still significant, and the installed capacity of INPI’s technical staff does not grow at the same rate as demand.
The new accreditation represents a structural change: instead of increasing the number of examiners, the Institute opted to externalize the search stage, keeping the final decision on the patent with its internal examiners.
Who can participate — full requirements
The notice establishes clear criteria for qualification. The candidate must:
- Reside in Brazil
- Have a complete higher education degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Information Technology, or related fields as specified in the notice
- Have proficiency in technical reading in English — essential for analyzing patent documents and international articles
- Possess an active registration in SICAF (Unified Supplier Registration System) and on the Federal Government Procurement portal
Furthermore, it is mandatory to prove the completion of three specific courses from the INPI Academy:
- Prior art search for patent application examinations
- Use of the Derwent Patent Search tool
- Completion of the external search result form
And meet one of the two alternative requirements:
- Have completed courses DL-101 and DL-318 from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); or
- Prove regular experience in the activity in the last three years
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, IT or related fields |
| Language | Technical reading in English |
| Registrations | SICAF + ComprasGov active |
| INPI Courses | Prior art search, Derwent, Search Form |
| Experience | WIPO Courses (DL-101 + DL-318) OR 3 years of experience |
Working conditions and remuneration
Accreditation does not create an employment bond. The professional acts as an accredited individual, without exclusivity, and can even maintain other professional activities simultaneously.
- Remuneration: R$ 1,025.62 per completed search
- Work format: Remote
- Notice validity: 10 months (June 29, 2026 to April 29, 2027)
- Evaluation cycles: First cut-off date on July 29, 2026 (results by August 12, 2026); new stages in January and May 2027
- Applications: Continuous, via the official e-Pesquisa form
The value of R$ 1,025.62 per search is competitive when compared to third-party search fees in the private market, especially considering that the professional does not need to bear client acquisition or office structure costs.
Impact on the Brazilian patent system
This movement by INPI needs to be read in the broader context of reforms to the Brazilian industrial property system.
The outsourcing of prior art searches can:
- Accelerate patent examination — by shifting the most research-intensive stage to a scalable external workforce
- Reduce the backlog — especially in areas with a large volume of applications, such as pharmaceutical chemistry and mechanical engineering
- Create a specialized job market — professionals with technical training can build a career in patent searching without needing to move to Brasília
- Maintain decision quality — the INPI examiner remains responsible for the merits; the accredited professional only provides the technical input
On the other hand, there are challenges. The training of accredited professionals needs to be homogeneous, and the Derwent tool requires specific proficiency. INPI will also need quality control mechanisms to ensure that external searches meet the required standard.
If the pilot is successful, INPI may be paving the way for a hybrid patent examination model, combining internal capacity with an external network of specialists — something that offices like the USPTO and EPO have been practicing for years.
Read also:
- INPI launches call for applications to select intellectual property success stories [2026]
- How to Consult the Progress of an INPI Process: Step-by-Step Guide [2026]
- Second medical use patents in Brazil: INPI releases final result of new examination guidelines
You can get in touch to discuss this and other topics at [email protected]