Frankfurter Buchmesse 2026: Applications open for international grant programmes
Frankfurt Global Network focuses on ‘Comics, Manga & Visual Stories’ this year; Special Programme Ukraine and neighbouring countries; Paris-Frankfurt Fellowship for book trade and publishing professionals
Frankfurter Buchmesse is once again inviting professionals from the publishing and book trade to participate in its international fellowship and grant programmes in 2026. Participants can look forward to a professional training and networking programme organised by Frankfurter Buchmesse with the support of national and international partners.
The FBM grant programmes and calls for applications for 2026 in detail:
Frankfurt Global Network 2026 with a focus on ‘Comics, Manga and Visual Stories’
The Frankfurt Global Network offers young publishers, rights managers and editors from all over the world opportunities for networking, further training and exchange. This year's focus is on comics, manga and visual stories. (2025: fiction)
The online meetings will begin in July, and the in-person programme will take place from 28 September to 12 October. After arriving in Frankfurt, the programme will start with market presentations and visits to publishers and bookshops in Germany. At Frankfurter Buchmesse (7–11 October 2026), the fellows will present their companies at a collective stand.
Applicants must have at least three years of professional experience and a good command of English.
The application deadline is 30 April 2026.
https://www.buchmesse.de/en/fellowship-and-grant-programmes/frankfurt-global-network
“Volia” – Special Programme for publishers from Ukraine and neighbouring countries
For the fifth edition of the programme, the ‘Special Programme’ is being given a new name: ‘Volia - Special Programme for Publishers from Ukraine and Neighbouring Countries’. The term Volia can be translated as ‘will’ or ‘freedom’. It describes the inner driving force that overcomes all obstacles and thus expresses the essence of the Ukrainian philosophy of life.
Volia is aimed at publishers, editors, licensing managers and literary agents from Armenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Ukraine.
Participants can expect a mix of specialist seminars, contact programmes and networking events – first online, then from 4 October in Frankfurt.
Requirements are at least two years of professional experience in publishing with a focus on rights and licensing, as well as a good command of English.
The application deadline is 10 April 2026.
https://www.buchmesse.de/en/fellowship-and-grant-programmes/special-programme-publishers-ukraine
The programme is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office and curated and organised by Frankfurter Buchmesse in cooperation with the International Book Arsenal Festival, the Goethe-Institut Ukraine and the industry platform Chytomo.
Paris-Frankfurt Fellowship for young professionals in the book trade and publishing industry
The exchange programme for young booksellers and publishing professionals is also back again this year. It is aimed at young professionals from Germany and France with a keen interest in their respective neighbouring country.
The fellowship enables young German and French professionals in the book industry to acquire new professional, linguistic and intercultural skills. It will take place from 15 June to 2 July 2026.
The application deadline is 16 March 2026.
https://www.buchmesse.de/en/fellowship-and-grant-programmes/paris-frankfurt-fellowship
The costs for the Paris-Frankfurt Fellowship are covered by the Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW) together with the programme partners Frankfurter Buchmesse and France Livre. During the study trips in Germany and France, participants receive a scholarship of €450 from the DFJW.
Goldschmidt+ for young literary translators
The Georges Arthur Goldschmidt Programme is aimed at literary translators from Switzerland, France, Germany and Austria. In order to offer translators continuous further training and expand their network, the programme is open every two years under the name ‘Goldschmidt+’ exclusively to translators who have already participated in the classic Goldschmidt programme.
The programme will take place in four modules between March and November 2026; the participants have already been selected: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/fellowship-and-grant-programmes/goldschmidt-programme
Goldschmidt+ is jointly organised by Frankfurter Buchmesse, France Livre and the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, and supported by the Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW).