SME Fund

Why should SMEs apply for this support?

The protection of intangible assets (inventions, commercial signs, or design) through industrial property rights is essential for the competitiveness, innovation, and economic growth of the Portuguese business fabric.

The main goal of this European Commission measure - implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) - is to allow a faster recovery of the EU economy and improve SMEs’ resilience.

This financial support enables SMEs to recognise Industrial Property as an investment, instead of a cost. It allows companies to generate revenue from these assets and to protect themselves from future infringements of their patents, trademarks, or designs.

Period for applications:
Between 23/01/2023 and 08/12/2023

How does this support work?
This is a grant scheme that enables SMEs to have a partial reimbursement of the expenses incurred with applicationswith applications for Industrial Property (IP) pre-diagnostic service (IP Scan), trade marks and design and Plant varieties. In practice, once the application is accepted, the applicant will be issued vouchers that can be later activated and have a partial refund of the fees related to the selected modalities.

VOUCHER 1: IP Scan - IP pre-diagnostic audit (IP Scan)
Reimbursement of 90% of the expenses incurred with this service, up to a maximum amount of 810 euros, in Portugal (in other EU Member States the reimbursement can be up to 1.350 euros).

VOUCHER 2: Trade mark and design protection in the EU (national, regional and EU levels) and outside the EU
Reimbursement of 75% (for national, regional, and EU trade mark and design applications) or 50% (for international trade mark and design applications through WIPO) of the fee amount, up to the maximum of 1.000 euros.

VOUCHER 3: National and European Patents
Reimbursement of 75% of the fees, up to a maximum amount of 1.500 euros.

VOUCHER 4: Plant varieties (EU)
Reimbursement of 50% of the of the fee, up to a maximum amount of 225 euros.

Application process

Source: EUIPO

Each SME can request one voucher per type of IP activity within the rules and limits for funding provided.
For IP Scan, Trademarks, Design and Patents, vouchers are valid for 2 months from the moment you receive the grant and this validity period can be extended by another 2 months. For Community Plant Varieties, vouchers are valid for 2 months from the moment you receive the grant and this validity period can be extended by another 4 months.

Applications will run from 23/01/2023 till 08/12/2023.

Apply now

VOUCHER 1

IP Scan

This service intends to provide advice to SMEs on the potential and value of Industrial Property assets for the development of their activities and help the company define its IP strategy.

Refund of 90% of the service costs;
Services provided by experts in the field of Industrial Property designated by the INPI.

VOUCHER 2

Applications for registration of national, regional, and EU trademarks and designs

The eligible Industrial Property rights are trademarks and designs filed at the Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property (INPI PT) and the EUIPO, including the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP).

Refund of 75% of the fees;
Includes application, class, examination, registration, publication, and postponing publication fees;
Logotype registration is included since it is covered under the Portuguese law.

International applications for registration of trademarks and designs administered by WIPO

To support the growth of EU SMEs on a more international scale, eligible rates include international trademarks and designs using the systems administered by WIPO.

Refund of 50% of the fees;
Includes basic fees, designation fees, and subsequent designation fees under the international trademark registration system (Madrid System) or the international design registration system (The Hague System);
Designation fees of EU countries are excluded, as are handling fees charged by the national office.

VOUCHER 3

National and European Patents

Reimbursement of 75% of the fees.
Includes patent application; provisional patent application (application); provisional patent application (search); provisional patent application (conversion to definitive application); fees for national patents; application (Supplementary Protection Certificate); 6-month extension of validity for a Supplementary Protection Certificate for pediatric medicines);
Includes application and search fees for European Patents.