The SME Fund 2026 is a European Commission initiative, implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), running from 2 February to 4 December 2026. The scheme provides financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) established in the European Union and Ukraine to help them protect and manage their intellectual property (IP) rights in an increasingly digital and competitive market environment.

Support is provided in the form of vouchers that reimburse a significant share of IP-related costs, including applications for trade marks, designs, patents and plant varieties, as well as IP Scan services. Depending on the country or region, SMEs may benefit from reimbursement of up to 75% of IP application fees and up to 90% of IP Scan costs. Applications can be submitted by the business owner, an employee, or an authorised external representative, and reimbursements are paid directly to the SME’s bank account.

In addition to financial support, the programme offers access to learning resources, pro bono IP assistance from experts across Europe, and practical guidance to help SMEs avoid misleading invoices and IP-related scams.