New wave of grant aid for patents and new plant varieties for small and medium-sized enterprises

As of June 2, 2025, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bulgaria will be able to apply again for grants under Voucher 3 for national and European patents and Voucher 4 for new plant varieties. The programs are jointly administered by the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and the SME Fund of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

Voucher 3 will reimburse 75% of the fees due for filing national and European patent applications, as well as for conducting prior art searches. Additionally, up to 50% of the legal costs for drafting and filing new European patent applications will be covered, but not more than 1500 euros.

Voucher 4 will finance 75% of the fees for electronic filing of applications for new plant varieties at the EU level, as well as the fee for the examination of Community plant varieties by the Community Plant Variety Office. This support will help SMEs participating in the green and digital transition, contributing to the goals of the European Commission's Green Deal.

To ensure the effective reimbursement of costs, the financing under Voucher 3 will be limited to legal services provided by persons or partnerships established in the EU and entitled to represent applicants before the European Patent Office under the European Patent Convention.

Detailed information on the two new grant programs can be found on the respective websites.