The 2025 SME Fund is now operational

The Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office have launched the SME Fund 2025 to provide financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a grant scheme designed to help SMEs to better manage and protect their intangible assets. The SME Fund helps SMEs protect their intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs and new plant varieties. Following the success of previous calls, this year’s fund is set to reach even more SMEs. In 2025, SMEs will be eligible for grants of up to EUR 1,000 for patent registration costs, EUR 1,500 for the legal costs of drafting and filing European patent applications and up to EUR 750 for trademark or design registration costs.

In 2024, of the 31,700 SMEs that applied for the SME Fund, more than 23,500 received financial support to protect their intellectual and industrial property and become more attractive to investors. Moreover, for 76% of the SMEs supported by the fund, this was the first time they had protected their intellectual property. This shows that IPR protection is essential to increase the value of a company, make it more attractive for investments and acquire a solid foundation for future growth.

Interested SMEs can apply for the SME Fund here.

More information European Commission.