Applications are now open for the Frankfurt Fellowship Programme 2018
Application deadline: 30 April 2018 / 20 years Frankfurt Fellowship Programme
Frankfurt, 22 March 2018 – This year, the renowned Frankfurt Fellowship Programme of the Frankfurter Buchmesse is in its 20th year. Established in 1998, the international programme promotes the exchange of information and the creation of an international network between publishing professionals from all around the world. Applications for the 2018 edition of the funding programme are now being accepted; the deadline to apply is 30 April 2018. Young publishing professionals, including publishers, editors, agents and rights managers, are encouraged to apply.
As part of the two-week programme, Frankfurt Fellows will learn about various international book markets, take part in matchmaking events and expand their professional networks. Beginning on 30 September 2018, the 16 chosen participants will visit publishing houses and bookshops in three German cities and attend networking events. The highlight of the programme is the Frankfurter Buchmesse (10-14 October 2018).
“The Fellowship Programme has widened my perspective of the industry and broadened my network. I always consider what I do locally within the much wider framework of various world markets. This perspective, I think, contributed to my being chosen for the job I have now”, says Andrea Pasion-Flores, General Manager of Anvil Publishing (the Philippines) and a former Frankfurt Fellow.
“A strong international network is essential in our industry. In the past two decades, more than 330 publishing talents from 59 countries have participated in our Fellowship Programme. The programme allows young professionals to increase their knowledge about foreign publishing markets and often results in long-lasting business contacts and friendships across the world”, says Bärbel Becker, Director International Projects at the Frankfurter Buchmesse.
One of the 2018 Fellowship participants will receive funding as a “Fred Kobrak Frankfurt Fellow”. Established by his family in 2017 in memory of Fred Kobrak – a dedicated and long-serving player in the international publishing industry who passed away in December 2016 – the fund will cover the travel and accommodation costs for one Frankfurt Fellow each year for ten years. Fred Kobrak attended the Frankfurter Buchmesse for 56 years in a row. Through this fund, his family wishes to help give young publishing professionals an opportunity to participate in the Frankfurt Book Fair.
How to apply for the Frankfurt Fellowship Programme
Applicants should have several years' experience in the publishing industry and a good command of English. The application form and other relevant information about applying to the Frankfurt Fellowship Programme 2018 is available online.
Applications must include the completed application form, three letters of recommendation from international business associates as well as a recommendation from the management of the applicant’s own publishing house.
Please send your complete application via e-mail to the address indicated below:
• Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka:
German Book Office (GBO) New Delhi
Ms Prashasti Rastogi rastogi@newdelhi.gbo.org(opens in a new window)
• China, Hong Kong, Taiwan:
Book Information Centre (BIZ) Beijing
Ms Yingxing Gong gong@biz-beijing.org(opens in a new window)
• Russia:
Book Information Centre (BIZ) Moscow
Ms Anastasia Milekhina milekhina@biz-moskau.org(opens in a new window)
• USA, English-speaking Canada:
Frankfurt Book Fair New York Inc.
Ms Michelle Claussen Claussen@book-fair.com(opens in a new window)
• Other countries:
Frankfurter Buchmesse GmbH, Frankfurt
Ms Niki Théron theron@book-fair.com(opens in a new window)
About the Frankfurt Fellowship Programme
The Frankfurt Fellowship Programme was created on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Frankfurter Buchmesse. Its aim is to foster information exchange and the creation of an international network between young publishers from all around the world. So far, the programme has provided lasting benefits to more than 330 participants from 59 countries. Annual meetings with former Frankfurt Fellows at the Frankfurter Buchmesse and abroad ensure lively exchanges and long-lasting contacts.
About the Frankfurter Buchmesse
The Frankfurter Buchmesse is the international publishing industry’s biggest trade fair – with over 7,300 exhibitors from 102 countries, around 286,000 visitors, over 4,000 events and approximately 10,000 accredited journalists and bloggers in attendance. It also gathers key players from other media, including the film and games industries. Since 1976, the Frankfurter Buchmesse has featured an annual Guest of Honour country, which showcases its book market, literature and culture to attendees in a variety of ways. The Frankfurter Buchmesse organises the participation of German publishers at around 20 international book fairs and hosts trade events throughout the year in major international markets. With its Business Club, the Frankfurter Buchmesse offers essential services and an ideal setting for the activities of publishers, entrepreneurs, pioneers, experts and visionaries. Founded in 2016, THE ARTS+ is a business festival for creatives, investors, publishers, museums and tech companies that takes place at Frankfurter Buchmesse. The Frankfurter Buchmesse is a subsidiary of the German Publishers & Booksellers Association.
Contact for the media:
Press & Corporate Communications, Frankfurter Buchmesse
Katja Böhne, Vice President Marketing & Communications, Phone: +49 (0) 69 2102-46 138, press@book-fair.com(opens in a new window)
Kathrin Grün, Head of PR and Communications, Phone: +49 (0) 69 2102-46 170, gruen@book-fair.com(opens in a new window)
Ines Bachor, PR Manager, Phone: +49 (0) 69 2102-46 189, bachor@book-fair.com(opens in a new window)