The United States Patent and Trademark Office is hosting a free, two-day virtual workshop designed to help aspiring inventors, entrepreneurs, and first-time utility patent applicants evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their patent applications.

The workshop will teach participants how to search public patent databases, assess whether an invention is legally “novel,” and better understand the patent landscape before filing. Selected attendees may also receive one-on-one assistance.

The event takes place virtually on June 9–10, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET each day. Interested participants must submit an application form by June 1, 2026, or earlier if capacity is reached. Apply here.