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 applications for trade marks and design and with the Industrial Property (IP) pre-diagnostic service: the IP Scan. 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.

Application process

Source: EUIPO

Each SME can request one voucher per type of IP activity within the rules and limits for funding provided.
Vouchers are valid for 2 months from the moment you receive the grant. This validity period can be extended by another 2 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 deposited with the Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property (INPI PT), the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP), or via EUIPO.

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 through WIPO

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

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