The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), with the support of the European Commission, will reopen a new edition of the SME Fund on February 2, 2026 – Ideas Powered for Business, a grant program designed to facilitate access for SMEs and self-employed workers to the protection of their industrial and intellectual property rights through reimbursement, which can be requested independently according to the needs of each company. The following issues should be taken into account: They are not retroactive, they do not cover renewals of rights already granted, and they are awarded in order of submission (until the available funds are exhausted).
HOW THE GRANTS WORK
1.-Trademarks and designs
- Reimbursement of 75% of the fees for trademark and design applications at the national, regional, or European Union level, including additional classes, examination, registration, publication, and deferral of publication.
- Reimbursement of 50% of the basic fees for international trademark and design applications outside the EU, through the Madrid and Hague system.
- Maximum amount: up to €700 per company.
2.-Patents
- National patents: reimbursement of 75% of official fees and prior art search reports, up to €1,000.
- European patents: reimbursement of 75% of filing and search fees before the European Patent Office (EPO).
- Legal costs: reimbursement of 50% of the costs of drafting and filing European patent applications by qualified professional representatives.
- Maximum total amount: up to €2,500.
3.-Plant varieties
- Reimbursement of 75% of the application and examination fees payable to the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), up to a maximum amount of €1,500.
4.-IP Scan services
The SME Fund also includes strategic Industrial and Intellectual Property diagnostic services, aimed at identifying assets, risks, and opportunities, as well as advice in situations of possible infringement. These services have a high reimbursement rate and are designed to help SMEs define a solid strategy from the outset.
WHICH COMPANIES CAN BENEFIT FROM THE SME FUND 2026?
SMEs established in the European Union, including self-employed persons, may apply for this aid, provided that they carry out an economic activity and meet the criteria set by the European Commission. The classification of companies is as follows:
- Microenterprise
- Fewer than 10 employees
- Annual turnover or balance sheet total (equal to or less than €2 million)
- Small enterprise
- Fewer than 50 employees
- Annual turnover or balance sheet total (equal to or less than €10 million)
- Medium-sized enterprise
- Fewer than 250 employees
- Annual turnover less than €50 million or balance sheet total equal to or less than €43 million