Deadline Date: March 27, 2026
The Standards & Awards Support Scheme for SMEs invites grant applications to support businesses in achieving recognized Standards or Awards, enhancing their operational excellence, credibility, and overall competitiveness.
The scheme focuses on enabling SMEs to strengthen alignment with industry standards and best practices, promote quality, efficiency, sustainability, and innovation within business operations, facilitate entry into new markets, and encourage a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. It addresses Policy Objective 1 of the SFC2021 Programme 2021-2027, promoting entrepreneurship and innovative economic transformation, and Specific Objective RSO1.3, enhancing sustainable growth, SME competitiveness, and job creation through productive investments.
Article Body: The Standards & Awards for SMEs scheme funds advisory services necessary for SMEs to prepare for and successfully achieve internationally recognized certifications or national excellence awards. It is designed to improve internal management frameworks and operational structures rather than fulfill regulatory requirements or product-specific certifications for market placement.
The scheme will remain operational until 31st December 2026, subject to the availability of funds, with an initial allocated budget of €500,000. Eligible SMEs can apply for a maximum grant value of €15,000 per service, with the possibility of an increased maximum of €20,000 if seeking more than two standards or awards through the same provider within a single application.
Eligible undertakings include micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises engaged in economic activity, irrespective of legal form, that have been actively trading for at least one year as of the application date. The scheme is intended to enhance competitiveness, encourage sustainable growth, and improve operational excellence across participating enterprises.
For more information, visit FONDI.eu.
