Deadline Date: March 13, 2026
The Standards and Awards Grant Scheme is inviting applications to support small and medium-sized enterprises in accessing advisory services that help them prepare for and achieve recognized standards or awards.
The scheme focuses on supporting SMEs in preparing for recognized standards or awards, enhancing competitiveness and credibility through internationally recognized certifications or national excellence awards, strengthening alignment with industry standards and best practices, promoting quality, efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in business operations, facilitating entry into new markets, and encouraging a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in business management and operations.
The scheme provides funding for advisory services that assist enterprises in preparing for and successfully achieving recognized standards or awards. Through this support, businesses can strengthen their internal management frameworks and operational structures while improving their overall competitiveness and credibility in the market. The initiative encourages enterprises to adopt industry best practices and internationally recognized standards that contribute to better performance and long-term growth.
By obtaining recognized certifications or awards, SMEs can enhance their reputation and build trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders. These recognitions can also support enterprises in accessing new markets and strengthening their position in competitive environments while promoting a culture of quality, efficiency, sustainability, and innovation within their operations.
The scheme is specifically designed to support enterprises in improving their internal systems and operational structures rather than covering regulatory requirements or product-specific certifications required for placing a product or service on the market. The objective is to help enterprises strengthen their management practices and adopt frameworks that support continuous improvement.
The Standards and Awards for SMEs scheme will remain operational until 31 December 2026, subject to the availability of funds. The initial allocated budget for this scheme is €500,000. The maximum grant value available is €15,000, covering part of the eligible costs. Applicants who aim to achieve more than two standards or awards through the same service provider within a single application may be eligible for an increased maximum grant value of €20,000.
Eligible applicants include micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises engaged in economic activities regardless of their legal form. Enterprises will only be considered eligible if they can demonstrate that they have been actively trading for at least one year as of the application date. Undertakings that do not possess legal personality through the law applicable to their establishment must be registered under the Second Schedule of the Civil Code.
For more information, visit FONDI.eu.
