The Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund is a financial assistance program designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU access their intellectual property rights. This SME Fund is a European Commission initiative implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and is currently running from the 2 February to 4 December, 2026, or until all available funds have been used, respectively. The program offers four different vouchers for eligible activities, which SMEs can apply for individually or in combination:

• 90% coverage of costs for a preliminary diagnosis of intellectual property rights (IP Scan) (the value varies by country, 1,620 EUR maximum in Germany),
• 75% coverage of the fees for trademarks and designs at national, regional and EU level (all EU countries), or 50% of the costs at the international level, 700 EUR maximum in either case,
• Subsidisation of 1,000 EUR maximum for research on the state of the art by accredited IP service provider, coverage of 75% of patents fees, 1,000 EUR maximum, for use in eligible patent applications fees for the filing of national patents with a national intellectual property office of an EU Member State and/or European patents filed with the EPO, as well as 50% of the legal fees for the drafting and registration of European patent applications, 1,500 EUR maximum,
• 75% coverage of the costs of an online application and examination of Community Plant Variety Rights,  1,500 EUR maximum.

The IP Scan examines the SME’s business model, products and/or services, and growth plans to formulate an appropriate intellectual property strategy. The SME must first apply for the grant and, if approved, will receive vouchers that are valid for two months (can be extended for another two months). It should be noted that the SME must first make advance payments for the use of IP services. Subsequently, by submitting the reimbursement form, the vouchers will be activated, allowing the costs to be reimbursed through the program. Please note: Funds are limited and therefore will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please visit: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/sme-corner/sme-fund or https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/discover-ip/sme-fund/how-to-apply. We will be happy to assist you in drafting an EU trademark and/or design application or filing a patent application – also using the funding program.