Background

The EU SME Instrument was inspired by the United States‘ "Small buisness inovation reserach" (SBIR) programme. Both schemes are designed to enable SME to invest in R&D, obtain access to capital and introduce new products on the market. The SME Instrument is managed by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI). An Executive Agency for SMEs (EASME) offers advise on SME-policies to the responsible Directorates-General "Research and Innovation" and "Enterprise and Industry".