What is the Patent.Voucher?
The Patent.Voucher is a grant scheme run by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) in collaboration with the Austrian Patent Office. It is specifically designed for Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, and companies in the process of being established, on their journey from technical invention to patent. To qualify for the funding, they must have a concrete intention to commercially exploit a patentable invention.
Up to 80% of the costs associated with the patent application are funded, up to a maximum of €10,000 per application. In addition, a team of experts will guide you from the initial idea to the application. This includes customized patent searches as well as an assessment of patentability.
According to the European Union, SMEs are enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.
Here’s how it works
Step 1: Submit an application
Submit your application via FFG’s eCall online platform – including a brief and clear description of your invention and answers to a few questions.
Step 2: Review
FFG will review your application. If approved, you will receive a funding approval via eCall message.
Step 3: Sign the contract
Sign the contract and return it. You can now transfer the data directly to the Austrian Patent Office via FFG’s eCall system and request the patent search online for a fee of €1,710.
Step 4: Search and Evaluation
Start of Phase 1: following an initial consultation, the Austrian Patent Office conducts a patent search, prepares a search report within a timeframe of approximately six weeks, and then assesses patentability in a final consultation. You upload the final report to eCall. FFG will then reimburse you €1,368 – regardless of the outcome.
Please note: The upload must be completed within 12 months of the project start date (cf. grant approval).
Step 5: National or international application
If the final report is positive and a patent application is advisable, Phase 2 begins. The FFG covers the costs of consulting, representation, and national and international patent applications. Accounting is handled by the FFG. All application and attorney fees incurred within two years of the contract’s conclusion are eligible for funding.
Please note
- No intellectual property application may be filed before submitting the application; otherwise, you will lose your eligibility for the Patent.Voucher
- A regular national patent application or utility model application prior to Phase 2 disqualifies you from participation – as does upgrading a provisional application to a regular application during this period
- Between the application and Phase 2, only a provisional patent application is permitted, which can often be useful. We would be happy to advise you on the options for the provisional application
What does the funding cover?
In Phase 1, you will receive €1,363 for tailored advice and research services provided by the Austrian Patent Office.
In Phase 2, costs of up to €8,637 are funded and these include:
- National patent application in Austria
- International patent application: the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) allows you to file an application for more than 150 countries
- Patent and legal consulting and representation by professionals with proven experience in intellectual property law for the preparation of the patent application
What is not eligible for funding under the Patent.Voucher?
- Other intellectual property rights such as utility models, trademarks, and designs
- Applications already filed in Austria or abroad
- In Phase 1: costs for patent or legal advice or representation
- A European patent application: with a PCT application, this route is still open to you anyway
- Inventions for which another type of funding has already been claimed
- Costs incurred during the patent application process
- Translation costs
- Prototype development
- Costs incurred after the patent application
- Costs exceeding an 80% funding rate or €10,000
- More than one Patent.Voucher within one year, calculated from the date of the funding approval by the FFG
- The costs of the respective phase if the deadline is exceeded (Phase 1 > 1 year, Phases 1 + 2 > 2 years)
- The development of weapons or products that promote violence is not eligible for funding
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