The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has launched the SME Fund 2026 program, continuing an initiative already established in previous editions, aimed at SMEs and self-employed workers who wish to protect their industrial property assets through partial reimbursement of the official fees associated with the registration of trademarks, designs and patents, both nationally and at the European and international levels.
WHAT IS THE SME FUND 2026?
The SME Fund is a grant program that allows SMEs and the self-employed to obtain reimbursement of the official fees associated with registering industrial property rights. Now in its fifth edition, the program has a total budget exceeding €20 million and provides aid in the form of vouchers, which are granted upon application and applied to specific IP protection actions initiated after they are awarded.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS AID?
– Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) established in the European Union with fewer than 250 employees, and an annual turnover equal to or less than 50 million euros, or an annual balance sheet total equal to or less than 43 million euros.
– Self-employed individuals who can prove an economic activity.
– Certain foundations and associations that carry out economic activity, when at least 25% of their capital is held by public entities
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE COVERED?
1) TRADEMARKS AND DESIGNS
In the EU: Reimbursement of up to 75% of EU trademark and design fees (including application, class, examination, registration, publication, and deferral of publication fees) with a voucher of up to €700 per beneficiary.
International scope (WIPO): Reimbursement of up to 50% of the application and designation fees for trademarks, designs, or models outside the EU, with a voucher of up to €700 per beneficiary. This includes designation fees originating from EU countries and the EUIPO. Processing fees charged by the office of origin are excluded.
2) PATENTS
National applications: Reimbursement of 75% of the fees (up to €1,000 per beneficiary) for patents filed with the Intellectual Property Offices (IPOs) of member states. National patent applications filed as a first application or with a priority claim are eligible. Applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) are excluded.
European: Refund of 75% of the filing and search fees (up to €1,000) for European patent applications filed as a first application or with a priority claim, including those filed under the PCT.
Legal costs: Reimbursement of 50% of the costs of drafting and filing a European patent application, up to a maximum of €1,500 per beneficiary, provided that the services are provided by an authorized representative before the European Patent Office (EPO).
It is not possible to request bonds for national patents and European patents in the same application, but it is possible in separate applications.
3) PLANT VARIETIES: Reimbursement of 75% of the official fees corresponding to the Community protection of plant varieties before the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), with a maximum limit of €1,500 per beneficiary.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION DEADLINES AND HOW DOES THE AID WORK?
1. Application and evaluation period
The bond application must be submitted before 4 December 2026. Applications are assessed weekly, and the EUIPO notifies applicants of the grant or refusal of the bond within approximately ten working days, starting from the Friday of the week in which the application was submitted.
2. Activation and use of the bonus
Once granted, the voucher must be activated within one month, with the possibility of an additional one-month extension. After activation, the voucher can be applied to the corresponding eligible activities within a maximum period of six months.
DO YOU NEED HELP?
At Marqués & Ferrer we can support you in reviewing requirements, estimating reimbursement, correctly submitting the application, processing industrial property assets and justifying expenses.
Don’t hesitate, contact us and we’ll advise you!