EU funding program "SME Fund 2026"

02.02.2026

The SME fund "Ideas Powered for business" is a grant program designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU to protect their intellectual property rights.

This initiative of the European Commission, implemented by the EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office, will take place from February 2, 2026 to December 4, 2026. Save money and protect your intellectual property rights at the same time!

  • Voucher for IP scan
    It is used to develop a customized IP strategy and a preliminary diagnosis of intellectual property rights. The Patent Center Bavaria is the only accredited service provider in Bavaria for the IP scan. Here, 90% of the costs are reimbursed (max. 1,620 euros).
  • Voucher for the promotion of trademark and/or design applications
    It is used to promote the official fees for trademark and/or design applications. Here, 75% of the costs for a national or EU-wide application are reimbursed. In the case of an application outside the EU, 50% is reimbursed (max. 700 euros in total).
  • Voucher for the promotion of national patent applications
    75% of the costs for a prior art search carried out by the national intellectual property offices of the EU member states or accredited partners - such as the Bavarian Patent Center - are reimbursed here, as well as 75% of the application and examination fees at the national office (max. 1,000 euros in total).
  • Voucher for funding European patent applications
    The application and search fees for a patent application before the European Patent Office can be reimbursed on a pro rata basis. 75% of the costs are reimbursed (max. 1,000 euros). Likewise, 50% of the legal costs for preparing and filing a European patent application are reimbursed under this voucher (max. EUR 1,500).

Activities

Fee

reimbursement

Preliminary diagnosis of intellectual property rights (IP scan), max. EUR 1,620 90%
Trademark and/or design fees, max. 700 EUR
75% for national or EU level and 50% outside the EU
Patent search for prior art and official fees for a patent application in Germany (application, search and examination), max. 1,000 EUR 75%
Official fees for a patent application in Europe (application, search and examination), max. 1,000 EUR 75%
Legal costs for the preparation and filing of European patent applications, max. 1,500 EUR 50%

Your contact

Katrin Wägemann
+49 911 20671-922
Patents & CE, Project Manager, Bayern Innovativ GmbH, Nuremberg
Porträt von Abelina Ellert
Dr. Abelina Ellert
+49 911 20671-934
Patents and Standards, Project Manager, Bayern Innovativ GmbH, Nuremberg