The Fund for SMEs “Ideas Powered for business” is a subsidy programme aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the objective of favouring the protection of their industrial property rights. To this end, the programme has different vouchers that cover the following modalities, such as trademarks, patents, plant varieties and designs. The deadline to apply for the subsidy is 8 December 2023, or when the budget is exhausted, so the order in which applications are received will be relevant.
The trademark and design voucher (Voucher 2) was the first to be released. Companies applying for Voucher 2 will be eligible for a grant of up to 1000 euros. For registrations limited to the European Union (either national or regional), SMEs can apply for a 75% reimbursement of the official fees for the registration of trademarks and designs. For protection outside the EU, the reimbursement will be up to 50% of the fees.
Just a few weeks ago, in a second phase of the programme, the possibility of also financing the registration of patents and plant varieties was extended through the issue of Vouchers 3 and 4, respectively. SMEs activating Voucher 3 will benefit from up to 1500 euros of subsidy per beneficiary to invest in the protection strategy of their new patents. The subsidised expenses partially cover up to 75% of the fees for prior art search, examination, search, prosecution and grant of the patent at national level. For European patents, reimbursement of 75% of the prosecution and search fees is also available.
With regard to Voucher 4, SMEs that activate it will be able to reach the 225 euros subsidy limit per beneficiary for Community plant varieties. Through this voucher, SMEs will be able to request 50% reimbursement of the cost of the application.
At PONTI & PARTNERS we offer our services to facilitate this task to interested SMEs, processing this aid on their behalf. You can request more information or resolve any doubts about these grants, here.
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