SME Fund 2025: Patent & Plant Variety Vouchers Are Back—But Not for Long

Good news for small businesses: funding for patents and plant varieties is officially back on the table. Here’s what you need to know and why you should act fast!

Since 2021, the SME Fund has helped over 80,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe protect their intellectual property (IP)—from branding to biotech. Earlier this year, the 2025 edition launched with a bang. Vouchers for patents (Voucher 3) and plant varieties (Voucher 4) were gone in just 8 days. But on June 2, those vouchers officially reopened—and if history is any indicator, they won’t be around for long.

If you’re innovating in areas that need patent protection or plant variety rights, this is your window. These vouchers can significantly lower the cost of protecting your work, giving you the legal backup to grow confidently. Applications are being accepted again right now, but availability is limited—and demand is high. It’s first come, first served, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Want in? Head to the official SME Fund website for the latest updates and to submit your application. Need help navigating the process or figuring out how these vouchers fit into your business strategy? Get in touch with our IP team—we’re ready to guide you through every step!

Text: ‘SME Fund 2025: Vouchers for Patents and Plant Varieties to Reopen’. EUIPO, https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/sme-fund-2025-vouchers-for-patents-and-plant-varieties-to-reopen. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Photo: 'A Girl Watering The Plants' by Tima Miroshnichenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-girl-watering-the-plants-6508404/