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EUIPO – Grants SME Fund 2023
The Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund is a grant program designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (EU) to protect their intellectual property (IP) rights. More specifically, the SME Fund is a European Commission initiative implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and will run from 23 January 2023 to 8 December 2023.
Grants are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why is intellectual property protection necessary?
Intellectual property protection is essential in the digital age because it is the legal way to prevent the unfair copying or use of unique ideas, products, or services. Intellectual property protection through the Ideas Powered for Business Fund can cover many different assets, including trademarks, industrial designs, patents and plant varieties.
Who can benefit from the Ideas Powered for Business Fund?
The Ideas Powered for Business Fund provides financial support to SMEs established in the EU. The application can be submitted by the beneficiary, an employee or an external authorized representative acting on behalf of the SME. Grants are awarded to SMEs and reimbursement is always paid directly to the SME’s bank account.
How does the SME Fund work?
The SME Fund is a reimbursement scheme that issues vouchers, which can be used to partially cover fees for selected activities. There are different types of vouchers available depending on the implementation activity.
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- The vouchers are valid for 2 months from the moment of receipt of the grant and this period can be extended for another 2 months. If this period is not sufficient, there is the possibility of an extension, directly through the account in the Fund for SMEs, in the last month of the initial period of 2 months. During this period, it is possible to request payment for the IP services associated with the voucher(s) issued and then request a refund of the corresponding expenses, thereby activating the coupon(s).
- Voucher(s) must be used within the validity period!
- If the voucher expires without its validity being extended or without its activation, it is not possible to request a refund of the costs, nor a new grant from the SME Fund for the same voucher in the same year.
- Once the Voucher(s) have been activated, there is an “implementation period” during which further services and reimbursement of additional expenses within the scope of the Voucher(s) may be requested. The duration of this period is: 6 months for vouchers for services and for trademarks, industrial designs, and models.
Activities for which an application CAN be submitted
The SME Fund 2023 covers various activities to help implement the IP assets strategy, depending on the needs of each business.
The Ideas Powered for Business Fund provides financial support to EU-based SMEs to protect IP rights. SMEs can apply for vouchers that provide a partial refund of the fees paid. The level of protection (national, regional, EU or international) will depend on the business strategy and development plans of each SME.
The Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund offers the following:
- For IP Scan:
- 90% reimbursement of costs for the provision of the IP Scan service by the EU national IP office.
- For trademarks, industrial designs and models:
- 75 % reimbursement of costs for application fees for EU trademarks and/or designs, additional fees per class and fees for examination, registration, publication and suspension of publication.
- 75 % reimbursement of costs for application fees for national or regional marks and/or designs, additional fees per class and fees for examination, registration, publication and suspension of publication.
- 50% reimbursement of basic trademark and/or design application fees, extension fees and subsequent extension fees outside the EU. Excludes extension fees from EU countries, as well as processing fees charged by the office of origin.
- For patents:
- 75% reimbursement of prior art study preparation fees (Prior Art Search Report).
- 75% reimbursement of expenses for pre-grant patent fees (filing, search and examination).
- 75 % reimbursement of costs for the filing and search fees of European patents filed at the EPO.
- For Community plant variety right:
- 50% reimbursement of EU-wide online application fees.
The maximum amount refunded per SME is:
- €1350 for activities related to the IP Scan service.
- €1000 for activities related to trademarks & designs.
- €1500 for activities related to eligible patent fees.
- €225 for activities related to covering the online application fees for community plant variety rights.
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How can QBC help you?
QBC has Business Consultants with the necessary know-how and experience for your successful inclusion in the EUIPO – Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund.
Our support will take place in 4 distinct phases.
Phase 1 – Proposal Overview/Development and Evaluation
Phase 2 – Applying for the EUIPO – Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund
Phase 3 – Support during communications with stakeholders during the submission and evaluation of applications
Phase 4 – Support during the implementation of the proposal
For more information on the EUIPO – Ideas Powered for Business SME Fund, you can contact us by phone at 216 900 7576 or submit a contact request and one of our Consultants will serve you immediately.
