Grants for Ukrainians and Europeans are open again.

Take advantage of them while they are still available. The system works on a first come, first served basis.
We help our clients obtain these grants and submit the applications for registration.

Based on our experience, funds for trademarks are usually exhausted within six months.
As for patents, it is extremely difficult to make it in time — either very limited funds are allocated, or there is a high number of applicants.

Feel free to contact us.

EU Grants for Patents and Brands: What Ukraine’s Participation in 2026 Really Means

At the beginning of 2026, news once again appeared about EU intellectual property grants that Ukrainian companies can apply for. In the public space, this is often presented as “support for Ukraine”. However, if we speak professionally and honestly, this is not special aid for Ukraine.

What this program actually is

This refers to the annual SME Fund program administered by EUIPO. It has existed for several years and is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to:

• register trademarks

• register industrial designs

• to a limited extent — apply for patents

The grant works in the form of vouchers that partially reimburse official fees after an application is filed.

Where Ukraine fits in — and why it matters

For the third consecutive year, Ukraine has been included in the list of countries whose companies may participate in this program under the same conditions as EU businesses.

That means:

• Ukrainian companies do not have a special status

• but they are not excluded from the system, despite the war, economic risks, and their non-EU residency

This is an important but technical and regulatory fact — not a political gesture.

Why this matters for Ukrainian businesses

For many entrepreneurs and startups, IP registration is a postponed decision because it is:

• expensive

• offers no obvious short-term return

• often lacks a clear strategy

SME Fund grants do not solve these issues systemically, but they do:

• lower the financial entry barrier

• allow businesses to test expansion into the EU market

• encourage thinking about IP not after the fact, but at the scaling stage

This is especially relevant for:

• technology startups

• pharmaceutical and biotech projects

• brands planning exports or e-commerce in the EU

Important caveats

• Grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis

• Funds are limited and may run out before the official deadline

• A voucher does not replace strategy: without a clear understanding of what to register, where, and why, the money can easily be wasted

Conclusion

The SME Fund is not a gesture of solidarity, but a tool for accessing the European IP system.
The fact that Ukraine has not been excluded from this system for the third year in a row is pragmatically important — but it only works for those who:

• think strategically

• plan expansion beyond the domestic market

• understand the role of intellectual property in business value

If this describes you, contact us.
We have been working with this program for three years already.
The funds are reimbursed even to Ukraine — directly to Ukrainian bank accounts.

Founder of Research & Patent group Intectica, author of patent algorithms for solving problems in the pharmaceutical industry, patent attorney certified in all intellectual property objects (Patents, Design, TM), with education in chemistry and law, chief expert of the patent institution of Ukraine UKRPATENT (1997-2004). Member of international organizations, including ECTA, PTMG, UAM, lecturer and blogger.