Home {{categoryTitle}} Latest news

2026 SME fund: Q&A to know before you apply

Time：2026-03-11

Source：EUIPO

Author：

Type：Trademark;Patent;Copyright;Domain;Other


Jurisdiction：European Union

Publication Date：2026-03-11

Technical Field：{{fyxType}}

What is the SME fund scheme about and why is it important to support SMEs to register their intellectual property rights?

The SME Fund is a practical EU grant scheme that helps small and medium-sized enterprises reduce the cost of protecting their intellectual property - their trademarks, designs, patents, and even plant varieties - through a simple voucher-based reimbursement model. It also helps SMEs to create an IP strategy with the IP scan service.

Why does this matter?

Only 10% of SMEs in the EU register their IP rights. We are hoping that the SME Fund can have some impact to improve this. Research has shown that those SMEs who do register their IP rights perform better than those that don’t. They employ more people, pay better and are more likely to get funding to grow and to become high-growth firms. The SME fund has recently reimbursed the 100,000th SME to have applied, and if you consider that around 80% of applicants to the SME Fund are new to IP, that is a lot of new European businesses that have started to realise the importance of IP protection. A trade mark protects reputation and customer trust, a design protects what makes a product recognisable, and a patent can secure a company’s technological advantage. When SMEs protect these assets early, they become more scalable, and more resilient, especially when entering new markets, and working with partners.

If the application process were to be briefly described for a total newcomer, what would be the key advice?

The procedure, which has three steps, is in detail described in our website on 2026 SME fund, so no need to repeat it here. However, key advice is simple - companies should apply for the voucher only when they are ready to use it. Many delays happen because businesses apply first and only then realise they still need to define their IP strategy, select a representative, decide on the territories, or prepare the trade mark/patent filing. In the end, they risk having insufficient time to use the voucher within the deadline.

The question, which interests most potential applicants, is the cost and length of the procedure. For a micro company with one or few employees, this can be really a lot. Does the applicant, who meets the definition of the SME, need to have the entire cost available while applying?

The SME Fund works through reimbursement. This means the SME needs to pay the official fees and/or eligible service costs first, and then submit the reimbursement request with the proof of payment. The positive side of the scheme are the high reimbursement rates, including 90% for IP Scan and IP Scan Enforcement, and up to 75% for trade marks, designs, patents and Community Plant Varieties.

So, it’s not about removing the cost completely, but making it more affordable for SMEs to protect their IP.

What are the most common mistakes which companies make when applying for the SME vouchers?

The most common mistakes are surprisingly basic, and completely avoidable. There are three main categories of such faults: 1. Some apply first for their IP right and only then apply for the SME Fund. That makes them ineligible for reimbursement. They must FIRST apply for the SME Fund, wait for it be granted and only then apply for the IP rights in question. 2. Many applicants apply too early, without a concrete plan to use the voucher within the deadlines.     3. Other easily avoidable issues are document inconsistencies, with company name/address not matching across documents, missing signatures, incorrect bank details or leaving reimbursement to the last minute and missing the deadlines.

A good rule would be to treat the application like a mini-project - prepare, apply, execute, request reimbursement.

EUIPO also established a “pro bono legal support” to companies – how does this support work?   

Indeed, EUIPO facilitates the pro bono service to help SMEs who have questions on their intellectual property or don’t know where to start. In simple terms the EUIPO connects SMEs with IP experts who speak their language and who are willing to guide them and answer their questions on IP completely free of charge!

A pro bono consultation can be very useful before applying to the SME Fund so that the SME has a better idea of what to apply for, when and where. It can help them understand their options and identify the most effective path for their intellectual property rights. The pro bono support is for a limited time and is not a replacement for full legal representation, but it is extremely valuable for SMEs that feel overwhelmed and need a trusted starting point, especially before they invest time and money in IP registrations. The Pro Bono instrument and how it works are explained in detail in a dedicated article in this newsletter.  In many cases the Pro Bono support can be the start of a longer professional relationship between the IP expert and the SME.

In addition, the EUIPO has established a variety of initiatives to raise awareness, but also many training initiatives through the EUIPO Academy accessible on the website of the EUIPO. Is there any special training which to recommend?

Absolutely. EUIPO prepared and entire start pack consisting of various blocks: IP basics for businesses, trade mark and design fundamentals, how to build an IP strategy as the business grows, how the SME fund financially supports SMEs. The EUIPO Academy Learning Portal is an excellent entry point because it offers structured learning paths and courses that fit real SME needs.

Last but not least, if one message were to be conveyed, what would it be?

IP is not bureaucracy. IP is leverage. It’s business insurance. It’s how a small company protects what makes it different - its name, product identity, innovation, and reputation, and turns it into value.

Please see the main website links to the SME Fund 2026 information:


Source: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/2026-sme-fund-q-a-to-know-before-you-apply