SME Fund 2026: Continuing Support for SMEs, now available

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), with the support of the European Commission and the Member State Intellectual Property Offices (MS IP Office), has launched the SME Fund scheme for 2026, reaffirming support to SMEs in safeguarding and leveraging their IP rights.

The SME Fund 2026 launched today, 2nd February 2026, continues to use the successful voucher-based reimbursement model, enabling SMEs to recover part of their IP-related costs.

  • Voucher 1:  IP Scan and IP Scan Enforcement.  90% reimbursement
  • Voucher 2:  Trade marks and Designs.  Up to 75% reimbursement
  • Voucher 3:  Patents.  Up to 75% reimbursement 
  • Voucher 4:  Community Plant Varieties.  75% reimbursement 

In addition, planned for later in the year, a new voucher:

  • Voucher 5:  Craft and Industrial Geographical Indications (CIGIs)

53% of the SME Fund applications came from IP representatives in 2025, a proportion that has been rising year after year. The EUIPO wishes to extend its sincere thanks to IP representatives for their essential role in broadening the reach of the SME Fund and ensuring that applicants benefit from qualified guidance throughout the application process.

EUIPO have provided an assistance document Call for proposals, that is strongly recommended to review ahead of submitting an application.

Also available is the Protect your ideas.  Secure your future with the 2026 SME Fund! webinar which provides information on "how the SME Fund can support your business and how to apply for financial support for trade marks, designs, IP Scan services, patents, and community plant varieties".

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