Applications are now open for the EUIPO’s Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund, aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) co-finance activities related to intellectual and industrial property and strengthen the protection of their rights.
The SME Fund is a programme made up of several vouchers that cover different IP rights, including trademarks, designs, patents, and plant varieties. The deadline to apply for funding is 5 December 2025, although the available budget is often exhausted earlier. It is essential to note that applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Regarding how the vouchers work, this year’s call introduces several changes, notably a reduction in the subsidised amounts per category and new activation deadlines:
Trademark and Design Protection
- At the regional, national, and EU levels, SMEs can receive up to EUR 700 per beneficiary. Eligible SMEs may request a 75% reimbursement of application, class, examination, registration, publication, and deferred publication fees to obtain protection for their trademarks and designs within the EU.
- For international trademarks and designs, SMEs may apply for a maximum 50% reimbursement, also capped at EUR 700 per beneficiary. This includes basic and designation fees for EU Member States or the EUIPO. Processing fees charged by the office of origin for an international trademark or design application are excluded.
- The voucher activation period in both cases is 1 month, extendable to 2 months, unlike in previous editions. The implementation period remains 6 months.
Patent Protection
- At the national level, the maximum reimbursement is EUR 1,000 per beneficiary, covering 75% of the application, search, examination, publication, and grant fees.
- For European patents, the reimbursement rate is also 75% for application and search fees, up to EUR 1,000 per beneficiary.
- Legal fees for drafting and filing a new European patent application are reimbursed at 50%, up to EUR 1,500.
- The activation period for both options is now 1 month, extendable up to 2 months. The implementation period has also been shortened compared to previous calls, now lasting 6 months.
Plant Variety Protection
- Community plant variety protection offers a maximum reimbursement of EUR 1,500 per beneficiary, covering 75% of the online application and examination fees.
- The activation period is also 1 month, extendable up to 2 months, while the implementation period will be 6 months.
At PONTI & PARTNERS, we offer our services to assist SMEs throughout this process, taking care of every step from start to finish. For more information or to clarify any questions about these grants, please contact us here.
