The European grant for intellectual property protection – SME Fund 2025

What can be reimbursed?

The SME Fund 2025 program provides financial support to businesses to help cover costs associated with intellectual property protection, particularly at various stages of registering patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and new plant varieties. Under the program, businesses can receive the following types of reimbursements:

🔹 €630 – reimbursement of 90% of intellectual property audit costs. Businesses can be reimbursed for the cost of an IP audit that assesses their intellectual property portfolio and identifies strategies to protect it. This might include reviewing patent rights, trademarks, copyrights, and potential risks.

🔹 €700 – reimbursement of official fees for registering trademarks and industrial designs. For businesses registering trademarks or industrial designs, funding is available to cover part of the registration fees:

• up to 75% at the EU and national levels,

• up to 50% at the international level.

🔹 €1000 – reimbursement of national patent application fees. Businesses submitting such applications can receive reimbursement of up to 75% of the fees incurred for obtaining a patent within a single country.

🔹 €1000 – reimbursement of European Patent Office (EPO) application fees. If a company applies for a patent through the EPO, it may be reimbursed up to 75% of the costs of filing a patent in EU countries.

🔹 €1500 – reimbursement of patent attorney fees for filing a European patent. Businesses working with patent attorneys to file a European patent application may receive up to 50% reimbursement for attorney fees.

🔹 €1500 – reimbursement of fees for registering new plant varieties at the EU level. Businesses involved in developing and registering new plant varieties can get up to 75% reimbursement of registration fees for a new variety.

Who can receive support?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the EU or Ukraine, including sole proprietors, provided they meet the following criteria:

• No more than 250 employees;

• Annual turnover not exceeding €50 million, or a balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.

What documents are required?

To apply for the SME Fund 2025 program, you’ll need to prepare a basic set of documents. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Applicant Information: Company name, registration number, and registered address.

• VAT Certificate: Proof of the company’s tax status.

• Bank Account Statement: Confirmation of a euro-denominated bank account, necessary for financial transactions under the program.

• Signed Power of Attorney: A scanned copy of the signed authorization.

• SME Status Declaration: Proof that the company qualifies as a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise according to EU criteria.

Properly preparing these documents can help avoid delays in processing your application and increase your chances of securing funding.

The process of registering a trademark and obtaining reimbursement

To utilize SME Fund support for registering a trademark, the company first needs to apply for a grant. The application should include basic company information and indicate which intellectual property rights are intended for registration. After the application is reviewed and approved—usually within 15 days—the company receives a special voucher that covers a portion of the costs. For trademark registration, this voucher can reimburse up to 75% of official fees at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) or the relevant national office.

Once the voucher is issued, the company must file a trademark application with EUIPO. This involves completing the necessary forms, selecting classes of goods and services, and paying the associated fees. After completing these steps, the company can request reimbursement from the SME Fund by submitting proof of payment and other supporting documents. The fund then reviews the information and transfers the reimbursed amount to the company’s account.

Conclusion

SME Fund 2025 provides small and medium-sized enterprises with an opportunity to reduce financial costs associated with protecting intellectual property rights. Registering a trademark through SME Fund is a cost-effective solution for companies aiming to protect their brand within the EU or internationally.

If you’re planning to register a trademark and want to minimize costs, taking advantage of the SME Fund’s support is a strategic move for confident business growth.

We are well-versed in the nuances of trademark registration in the EU and participating in the SME Fund program. We’ll help you navigate the process to achieve a favorable outcome as efficiently as possible.