INPI: what grants are available to finance intellectual property strategy and patent filing?

INPI's role with businesses

The Institut national de la propriété industrielle (National Institute of Industrial Property) informs and supports businesses in protecting and leveraging their innovations, trademarks, designs and models. Its offering includes support services and schemes that reduce the cost of certain industrial property procedures. Eligibility depends on the service or procedure chosen, the applicant's profile and the official conditions in force.

The two referenced schemes

Capital OS's directory links two grants to INPI: "Pass PI," which covers part of the cost of expert intellectual property services, and the 50% reduction on certain patent procedure fees. The first finances advice and support; the second is a reduction on official filing and procedure fees.

Pass PI: financing an intellectual property service

Pass PI can be used after a discussion with an INPI account manager and identification of a need. The services may cover knowledge of the technological environment, international protection, securing contractual relationships, asset valuation and taxation, managing litigation risk, or protecting digital creations and networks.

50% reduction on patent fees

A 50% reduction can apply to certain main patent procedure fees, including filing, the search report, grant, and annuities covered by the applicable rules. The application and supporting documents must comply with the formalities and deadlines set by INPI.

Who can benefit from these schemes?

Pass PI is aimed at businesses eligible for the program, and the choice of services is made with INPI. The fee reduction can apply to individuals, certain SMEs and certain non-profit organizations in the education or research sector. For SMEs, the ownership structure and the headcount threshold are decisive.

How to start the process?

For Pass PI, consult the official page, discuss with an INPI account manager, and have the need and the service validated before committing. For a fee reduction, consult the applicable fee schedule and procedural rules for filing a patent, and submit the reduction request with the applicant category and supporting documents required within the deadlines.

FAQ

Is Pass PI a cash grant? No, it finances a defined intellectual property service as part of the INPI process. Does Pass PI finance 100% of the invoice? No, the official page describes coverage of 50%. Does the patent fee reduction apply to all businesses? No, applicant categories and capital/headcount conditions apply. Is the directory's 1,000-employee threshold still valid? For patent applications filed from July 2, 2026, the updated INPI page indicates an SME threshold of fewer than 250 employees.

Official sources

• Pass PI — INPI
• Intellectual property financing solutions — INPI
• INPI procedure and service fees — INPI
• The applicant and the cost of a patent — INPI
• Decree simplifying the Intellectual Property Code — INPI