The SME Fund is a grant scheme designed to help EU SMEs protect their IPRs. The SME Fund is a European Commission initiative implemented by the EUIPO and its second edition runs from 23 January 2023 to 8 December 2023.

This year, 4 vouchers have been published:

Voucher 1 – IP scan
Voucher 2 – trade marks and designs
Voucher 3 – patents
Voucher 4 – community plant variety

Funds are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

To understand more about this second edition of the SME Fund, we suggest watching the following EUIPO webinars:

• Power your business with the SME Fund 2023 edition – 2nd launch

• Power your business with the SME Fund 2023 edition - 2nd update (focused on patents and plant varieties)

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ECTA established its own SME Task Force in 2021 to assist our Association in taking an active part in the EU debate and activities related to SMEs. ECTA aims to contribute to more and better use of IP by SMEs as well as to highlight the relevant role of IP practitioners in bringing this about.