Frankfurt Fellowship Network

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The application is possible from 22. April to 16. May 2025.

In 2025 the Frankfurt Fellowship and the Frankfurt Invitation Programmes will merge to one unique programme combining different features of the old programmes.
The Frankfurt Invitation Programme founded in the 1970s, was always supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. It has enabled numerous publishers from developing book nations to participate in the biggest industry meeting, so that they could form networks and act in the book market worldwide.
The Frankfurt Fellowship Programme was launched in 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Frankfurter Buchmesse. The programme focused on the exchange of information, professional dialogue, and the expansion of an international book industry network.

The new programme FRANKFURT FELLOWSHIP NETWORK will include visits to publishers and bookstores, market presentations, guided tours, matchmaking events, and numerous networking opportunities in Frankfurt and Zürich (Switzerland) as well as at Frankfurter Buchmesse, where the participants will exhibit their books at a joint booth. This year’s programme focusses on literary fiction.

The programme will take place from 5 – 20 October 2025.

About the programme

The application is possible from 22 April to 16 May via the registration form here. After the participants have been selected, all applicants will be contacted in June. Online meetings will start from July onwards. After Arrival in Frankfurt the onsite programme will begin with market presentations and visits to publishers and bookstores. Following the trip to Zürich networking events with German publishers and participants in other grant programmes will take place. The Opening Ceremony of Frankfurter Buchmesse will be attended on Tuesday afternoon followed by the five-day fair.

Application requirements

At least three years of experience in publishing
Good knowledge of English
Three letters of recommendation from international business partners
Letter of recommendation by the candidate’s employer

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FAQ

Publishers, editors, rights and licence directors and managers from all over the world working on literary fiction can apply

Several years of experience in publishing (at least three)
Good English language skills

There is no official age limit, but the programme is aimed to support younger generations of the publishing business. Participants should not be older than 40 years.

The filled-out application form
Three letters of recommendation from international business partners
Recommendation by your company's management

The letters of recommendation should be written by international publishers, editors, rights managers and literary agents with whom the applicant has worked. Letters of recommendation from authors cannot be considered. The international letters of recommendation should not originate from the applicant's own country.

Frankfurter Buchmesse will cover costs for travel and accommodation within Germany as well as some meals like a Welcome Dinner, A Networking Dinner and a Farewell Dinner as well as some lunches during the seminar days. Pro Helvetia will cover the trip to Zürich as well as accommodation and some meals in Switzerland. Participants will be required to meet the costs of travel to and from Germany, as well as some meals. For selected participants there is the possibility to apply for a travel support. This possibility will be evaluated by Frankfurter Buchmesse and possible partners.

During the actual Buchmesse week, participants are free to arrange their own business appointments from Tuesday to Sunday. These can take place at the joint stand or at other places.

The Frankfurt Fellowship Network offers participants from countries from all over the world the opportunity to discover the special features of various book markets and, above all, to make new contacts within the German speaking book industry.

Any questions about the Frankfurt Fellowship Network?

Claudia Dobry-Schneider answers all your questions.

+49 69 2102 - 255

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Frankfurt Fellowship Network