What types of support are available?
Under the 2026 SME Fund, vouchers are available for the following IP activities:
Voucher 1 – IP Scan / IP Scan Enforcement
Partial reimbursement (up to around EUR 1,000–1,350) for IP pre-diagnostic services and enforcement-related IP assessments, typically at up to 90% of eligible costs.
Voucher 2 – Trademarks and designs
Up to EUR 700 in total per SME, covering:
75% refund of basic application and related official fees for trademarks and designs at national, regional (Benelux) and EU level;
50% refund of basic and designation fees for international trademarks and designs under the Madrid and Hague Systems.
Voucher 3 – Patents
Up to EUR 1,000 for patent-related official fees, including:
75% refund of filing and search fees at the European Patent Office (EPO);
national patent office fees may also be partially reimbursed (subject to the detailed SME Fund rules).
Voucher 4 – Community plant varieties
Up to EUR 1,500 with 75% refund of official fees for applications for Community plant variety rights at EU level.
New in 2026 – Voucher for geographical indications (GI)
The 2026 edition will additionally cover part of the costs related to the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products.
When applying for a voucher, it is not necessary to specify in advance which specific IP rights will be filed or in which jurisdictions. You receive a voucher – a budget that can be used within a set period (usually 2 months, with certain vouchers having a longer validity, e.g. for IP Scan).
Who can apply and how does it work?
Any SME established in an EU Member State, including Latvia, can apply directly or through an authorised representative. The grant is always paid directly to the company’s bank account once the eligible IP fees or services have been paid.
To apply, the SME typically needs only a few basic documents:
proof of SME status (e.g. registration extract, basic company data);
bank account details (a euro account is recommended to avoid conversion losses);
a signed authorisation if a representative, such as Front Page IP, files the application on your behalf.
Standard procedure:
You provide us with the necessary company details and documents.
Front Page IP submits the SME Fund grant application for the relevant vouchers on your behalf.
EUIPO issues a decision and the voucher, usually within about 10 working days, subject to budget availability.
Once the voucher is granted, we file your trademark, design or patent application and pay the official fees.
We then file a reimbursement request to EUIPO, and the refunded amount is transferred directly to your company’s account, typically within 30 days.
Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis until the allocated budget is exhausted. Companies that have already received support from the SME Fund in previous years remain eligible to apply again in 2026.
