The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has relaunched the Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund for 2026, offering financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to protect their brands, designs and patents. The program works through a voucher-reimbursement system, helping eligible businesses offset the costs of securing and enforcing intellectual property (IP) rights.

Funding Details

Eligible businesses can receive vouchers that reimburse up to 75% of official fees for trademark and design registrations at national, regional and EU levels, as well as for national and European patent applications. In some cases, such as international filings, lower reimbursement rates may apply in accordance with the SME Fund rules.

The maximum funding available is €700 for trademark and designs, €1000 for national patent applications and €2500 for European patents.

Application Dates

The application period for the SME Fund 2026 opened on 2 February 2026 and will remain available until 4 December 2026, or until the allocated budget is fully used.

Need more Information?

Applying for the SME Fund involves several steps and requirements, and understanding the rules for trademarks, designs, and patents can be complex. SMEs may find it helpful to seek professional guidance to ensure applications are completed correctly and all eligibility criteria are met.

For more information on intellectual property and related legal matters, you can explore our IP, Data & Technology services.