New COSME call IP pre-diagnostic and improving access to patent protection for innovative EU SMEs

The European Commission announces a new call under the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME). The call Intellectual property (IP) pre-diagnostic and improving access to patent protection for innovative EU SMEs - COS-IP-2017-2-03 has a budget of € 4.3 million. The Executive Agency for SMEs (EASME) expects to fund one proposal. The planned opening date is July 25, 2018. Deadline for submission is September 4, 2018.

The specific objective of the call is to ensure the provision of administrative and reimbursement services that are necessary in relation to the implementation of the support actions to be offered to the companies. These support actions, the provision of which is not subject to this call, will in particular:

• provide "IP pre-diagnostics" to innovative SMEs, such as the ones holding the Seal of Excellence (in countries where there are not enough SoE holders other selection methods, identified at national level, may be used);
• help these innovative SMEs to apply for European patents, accessing IP attorneys services in relation to these applications.

For more information and documents please click here. 

The COSME programme aims to make it easier for SMEs to access finance in all phases of their lifecycle - creation, expansion, or business transfer.