State aid that can be granted by SPS is intended for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (which are organized as business companies or sole proprietorships), unless otherwise specified in the text of a particular public call for proposals.

The criteria for defining micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are in accordance with the definition provided in Annex I of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 800/2008 of August 6, 2008. The European definition of small and medium-sized enterprises also considers ownership structures. This area is often misunderstood by companies. Additionally, companies sometimes fail to strictly adhere to eligible costs.