SME Fund

The SME Fund is a grant scheme designed to help EU-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) protect their intellectual property (IP) rights. The SME Fund is a European Commission initiative implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The current round is running from 2 February 2026 to 4 December 2026.

A specific voucher is available to provide financial support to craft and industrial geographical indication (CIGI) applicants based in the European Union.

Voucher types:

1. IP Scans
2. Trade marks and Designs
3. Patents
4. Community Plant Varieties
5. Craft and Industrial Geographical Indication

Visit the SME Fund website to see up-to-date information about the availability of each voucher type.

Why you should protect your intellectual property
Protecting your IP is a legal route to avoid having your unique ideas, products, or services copied or used without your permission. The SME Fund can help you protect many different assets, including trade marks, designs, patents and plant varieties.

Who can benefit
The SME Fund offers financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) established in the European Union. The application can be submitted by a business owner, employee or an authorised external representative acting on their behalf. Grants are awarded in the form of vouchers that the beneficiary can use to claim a reimbursement. Reimbursement is always transferred directly to the SME’s bank account.

The grants and services available
The SME Fund provides four different vouchers for reimbursement on various IP-related activities, including applications for trademarks, designs, patents, plant varieties, and IP Scan services. Depending on your location, you can save up to 75% on IP rights applications and up to 90% on an IP Scan.

Read more about how to apply here: www.euipo.europa.eu/en/sme-corner/sme-fund/2026/how-to-apply