Protect your intellectual property: SME Fund grant for charges paid to a public authority when applying for a patent

‍From the beginning of next week, small and medium-sized companies also have the opportunity to receive financial support for charges paid to a public authority when applying for a patent, for patent novelty searches carried out by public authorities, and for registration of an EU Community Plant Variety Right.

According to the current information, the grant application period begins on Wednesday 26 April 2023.

You can already apply for a grant for charges paid to a public authority when applying for a trademark or design right or the IP pre-diagnostic service (IP Scan).

Read more about the IP pre-diagnostic service (IP Scan).

What is the grant for and how can it be obtained?

The grant to enable companies to protect their intellectual property and gain greater control over it is awarded by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

The amount granted depends on the applications your company has filed and the services it has ordered. The grant is disbursed retrospectively for the fees your company has paid. The amount paid out varies according to what the grant is for (50–90%).

• IP pre-diagnostic service (IP Scan): EUR 1,350
• Charges paid to a public authority when applying for a trademark or a design right: EUR 1,000
• Charges paid to a public authority when applying for a patent and patent novelty searches carried out by public authorities: EUR 1,500
• Registration application of the EU Community Plant Variety Right: EUR 225

You can apply for and receive a grant for each of these once per calendar year. In 2023, an individual company may thus be granted a maximum of EUR 4,075 by the SME Fund.

The applicant must have received an affirmative decision on the grant (a voucher) before paying any application or service fees.

Read further instructions and file a grant application on the EUIPO website.Open link in a new tab

Further information

Olli Ilmarinen
Development Specialist
Finnish Patent and Registration Office
Tel. +358 29 509 5236

Tuulimarja Myllymäki
Head Legal Adviser
Finnish Patent and Registration Office
Tel. +358 29 509 5399