EUIPO Funds for SMEs 2025

From Monday, 3 February 2025, applications open for the Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund, an initiative by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) aimed at supporting innovative SMEs in protecting their intellectual property (IP) assets.

With a budget of €18 million, the fund will co-finance various IP-related activities, including:

• 75% reimbursement of fees for national, regional, and EU trademarks and designs.
• 50% reimbursement of fees for international trademarks and designs via WIPO (excluding processing fees from the originating office).
• 75% reimbursement of fees for national and European patents, including application, search, examination, publication, and granting fees.
• 75% reimbursement of fees for Community plant variety rights, including application and examination.

Who can benefit?

The 2025 SME Fund is available to SMEs established in the EU that meet the European Commission’s SME criteria:

• Fewer than 250 employees
• Annual turnover of €50 million or less, or an annual balance sheet total of €43 million or less

Additionally, the following may also apply:

• Self-employed individuals with official proof of business activity.
• Foundations with less than 25% public ownership.

How to apply?

The application process consists of several phases:

• Submission of application – Applicants can request multiple types of funding either simultaneously or separately.
• EUIPO review – Applications are assessed within approximately 15 working days.
• Activation of awarded vouchers – Once approved, beneficiaries have one month (extendable by another month) to activate the voucher by carrying out at least one eligible IP activity.
• Use of voucher & reimbursement request – If the full amount is not used in the first request, the remaining balance can be used for further eligible activities within six months.

Application Deadline

The fund is open until 5 December 2025, but applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and funding is limited. Early application is strongly recommended.

What Costs Are Covered?

Trademarks, Designs & Industrial Models – Up to €700

• 75% reimbursement for trademark and design application fees, additional class fees, and registration/publication fees within the EU.
• 75% reimbursement for national/regional trademark and design protection (including Benelux).
• 50% reimbursement for international trademark and design application fees (excluding processing fees at the originating office).

Patents – Up to €1,000

• 75% reimbursement for prior art search reports.
• 75% reimbursement for application, search, examination, granting, and publication fees for national patent protection in EU member states.

European Patents – Up to €2,500

• 75% reimbursement for European patent application and search fees (excludes other associated fees).
• 50% reimbursement of legal costs related to drafting and submitting European patent applications (up to €1,000, subject to conditions).

Plant Variety Rights – Up to €1,500

• 75% reimbursement of online application and examination fees at the EU level.

For more details, visit the EUIPO website.