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SME Fund 2026: Grants for SMEs

4 vouchers

This year, the European Commission is once again supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in protecting their intellectual property with the SME Fund. The programme is implemented and administered by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Further information will be available on the EUIPO website from 2 February.

Please be sure to follow the steps outlined there if you wish to apply for a grant for your IP activity:

1. Register on the SME Fund website and submit your application
2. Wait for the EUIPO's grant decision (voucher)
3. Activate the voucher
4. Then: Apply for a patent, trademark, design or variety, or arrange an IP scan appointment or prior art search and carry it out within the deadline specified by the EUIPO
5. Submit a reimbursement application with the original invoice/proof of costs to the EUIPO in the SME Fund user area


Vouchers

These vouchers can be applied for from 2 February:

Overview of vouchers – click on the graphic to enlarge

  • Voucher 1 – IP scan: 90 per cent of the costs of an IP scan are subsidised, up to a maximum of €1,620. Please note: The IP scan can only be carried out by accredited IP service providers who are subject to constant quality control. In Germany, these are externer Link Patentinformationszentren (PIZ). IP scan enforcement is not offered in Germany.
  • Voucher 2 – Trademarks and designs: Costs for national or EU-wide trademark or design registration are subsidised at 75 per cent, up to a maximum of €700. Costs for international trademark and design registrations are subsidised at 50 per cent, up to a maximum of €700.
  • Voucher 3 – Patents: Costs for state-of-the-art searches are subsidised up to a maximum of €1,000. (Only invoices from accredited IP service providers are recognised as eligible for funding. In Germany, these are the externer Link Patentinformationszentren (PIZ)). Fees for national or European patent applications are subsidised at 75 per cent, up to a maximum of £1,000. Legal costs for drafting and filing European patent applications are subsidised at 50 per cent, up to a maximum of £1,500.
  • Voucher 4 – Plant variety protection: Costs for online registration and examination fees at the CPVO at EU level are subsidised at 75 per cent, up to a maximum of €1,500.
Woman in overalls and lettering ‘Protect your ideas. Secure your future.’

Full details of the application process, including step-by-step instructions, will be available from 2 February at EUIPO website. Applications can only be submitted online.

Pictures: EUIPO

Last updated: 28 January 2026