EUROPEAN COMMISSION · EUIPO · SME FUND
EU SME Fund
trade mark grant.
The EU SME Fund reimburses growing Irish businesses for trade mark filing fees — up to €700 per business. The 2026 trade mark voucher allocation has been exhausted. Register your interest below to be notified when the 2027 fund opens.
The EU SME Fund 2026 trade mark voucher (Voucher 2) is currently closed to new applications. Funds were exhausted ahead of the 4 December 2026 deadline due to the high volume of applications received. The fund has run annually since 2023. A 2027 edition is expected — exact dates have not yet been confirmed by EUIPO.
The EU SME Fund is a European Commission grant scheme administered by EUIPO — the European Union Intellectual Property Office. It provides financial support to growing businesses based in EU member states, including Ireland, to help cover the cost of registering and protecting intellectual property.
The trade mark voucher (Voucher 2) reimburses 50% of official filing fees for Irish trade mark applications, EU trade mark applications, and international filings through the Madrid Protocol — up to a maximum of €700 per business per year.
The fund has been oversubscribed in each year it has run. In 2026, both the IP Scan voucher and the trade mark and designs voucher were exhausted well before the December closing date. Businesses that applied early secured their reimbursement; those who delayed missed out.
| Voucher type | Voucher 2 |
| Covers | Trade marks & designs |
| Reimbursement | 50% of official fees |
| Maximum grant | €700 per business |
| Eligible fees | IPOI, EUIPO, WIPO (Madrid) |
| Who can apply | EU-based growing businesses |
| 2026 statusTrade mark voucher | Exhausted |
Fund Opens
EUIPO announces the opening date for the new fund year. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The 2026 fund opened on 2 February 2026 and trade mark vouchers were exhausted within weeks.
Apply for Voucher
Your business applies directly to EUIPO for a Voucher 2 grant. The application is straightforward and can be submitted by a business owner, employee, or an authorised representative such as a trade mark agent.
Grant Approved
Once approved, EUIPO issues a grant decision. The voucher must then be used within a set period — typically by filing a trade mark application within the fund year.
Trade Mark Filed
Your trade mark application is filed with IPOI, EUIPO, or WIPO as appropriate. Official filing fees are paid in the normal way at this stage.
Reimbursement Claimed
Evidence of the filing fees paid is submitted to EUIPO. Reimbursement of 50% of official fees — up to the €700 cap — is paid directly to your business bank account.
Do not miss the next round.
The trade mark voucher is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and has been oversubscribed in every year the fund has run. Businesses that prepare in advance — with a clearance search completed and a trade mark strategy agreed — are best placed to apply on day one of the new fund.
Get in touch now to discuss your trade mark, complete a clearance search, and be ready to file the moment the 2027 fund opens. We will notify you as soon as the opening date is confirmed.
An EU trade mark filed with EUIPO covers all 27 member states — including Ireland — with a single application. At a fixed professional fee of €800 + VAT plus EUIPO official fees of €850, an EU trade mark is often more cost-effective than separate national filings.
EU TRADE MARK REGISTRATION →