Deadline Date: May 29, 2026
The Standards & Awards for SMEs Grant Scheme is offering to support SMEs in obtaining recognized standards and awards that strengthen competitiveness, operational quality, and business excellence.
The key focus areas, objectives, priorities, and themes of this scheme include support for advisory services related to recognized Standards or Awards, enhancement of SME competitiveness and credibility, alignment with industry standards and best practices, promotion of quality, efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, facilitation of market expansion, encouragement of continuous improvement, and support under Policy Objective 1 for entrepreneurship and smart economic transformation.
This scheme provides funding for advisory services that help SMEs prepare for and successfully achieve internationally recognized certifications or national excellence awards. The support is intended to improve internal management systems and operational structures within enterprises.
The initiative aims to strengthen business credibility and competitiveness by encouraging enterprises to align with recognized industry standards and adopt best practices that promote efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
The scheme is specifically focused on improving business operations and management frameworks rather than supporting regulatory compliance or product-specific certifications required for market placement.
It operates under Policy Objective 1 of the SFC2021 Programme 2021–2027, which promotes entrepreneurship, economic transformation, and regional ICT connectivity. It also contributes to the specific objective of enhancing sustainable growth, competitiveness, and job creation in SMEs through productive investments.
The scheme will remain operational until 31st December 2026, subject to the availability of funds. The initial allocated budget for the scheme is €500,000.
The maximum grant available under this scheme is €15,000 for eligible costs. Applicants seeking to obtain more than two standards or awards through the same service provider within a single application may qualify for an increased maximum grant value of €20,000.
The scheme is open to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises engaged in economic activity, regardless of legal form, provided they have been actively trading for at least one year as of the application date. Enterprises without legal personality must be registered under the Second Schedule of the Civil Code.
For more information, visit FONDI.eu.
