Open Call: India-UK Publishing Fellowship Program

Deadline: 31-Oct-2026

The India-UK Publishing Fellowship Program supports independent publishers from India and the UK through an international professional development and networking opportunity at Jaipur BookMark 2027 and the London Book Fair 2027. Selected fellows receive travel, accommodation, visa fee reimbursement, meals or per diem, event access, curated industry introductions, and opportunities for collaboration, with a particular focus on literature in translation and diverse literary voices. The India-UK Publishing Fellowship Program brings together two independent publishers, with one fellow selected from India and one from the UK. The Fellowship is designed to strengthen professional relationships between the publishing industries of both countries through international exchange, industry networking, knowledge-sharing, and potential collaboration. Selected fellows will participate in a curated programme at Jaipur BookMark 2027 and the London Book Fair 2027. The programme places particular emphasis on promoting literature in translation and creating greater opportunities for diverse and under-represented literary voices. Fellows will take part in professional development and networking activities in both Jaipur and London.

The programme may include:

The exchange is intended to help independent publishers build professional networks and develop relationships across the India-UK publishing ecosystem. Fellows will participate in both major publishing events during the Fellowship. The Jaipur component provides an opportunity for the selected publishers to engage with India’s publishing and literary community, participate in professional discussions, and connect with industry stakeholders. On-site meals at Jaipur BookMark are provided as part of the Fellowship. The London component provides an opportunity to engage with the international publishing industry through professional networking, discussions, meetings, and other industry activities. A per diem in London is included in the Fellowship support. Selected fellows receive several forms of support for participation in the programme.

The Fellowship provides:

These provisions are intended to cover the main costs associated with participating in the international Fellowship programme. Beyond travel and accommodation support, fellows can receive professional opportunities designed to strengthen their publishing networks.

Additional benefits include:

Fellows are responsible for certain personal and travel-related costs.

These include:

Applicants should consider these expenses when planning their participation. The Fellowship is intended for independent publishers based in India or the UK.

Eligible applicants should:

Freelancers working in key publishing roles may also be eligible where they have a close professional affiliation with an independent publishing house. The programme specifically supports professionals connected to independent publishing houses. Applicants should demonstrate their role within the publishing sector and explain their contribution to the development of their publishing house, catalogue, authors, or literary programme. The Fellowship is particularly relevant to publishers seeking to develop international relationships and expand opportunities for translated and diverse literature. The following professionals are not eligible for the Fellowship: The programme is specifically designed for independent publishers rather than other publishing-sector professionals or employees of large publishing groups. The Fellowship particularly encourages applications from publishers who: This focus aims to broaden international publishing networks and increase visibility for literary work that may have fewer opportunities to reach international audiences. A central element of the Fellowship is the exchange of literary works and ideas across languages and publishing markets. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in: The programme provides a platform for publishers from India and the UK to explore potential areas of collaboration. Applicants should clearly explain their professional experience and demonstrate why international exchange would be valuable to their publishing work.

A strong application should:

Applicants should also explain how the experience could benefit their publishing practice after returning home. Independent publishers often play an important role in discovering new authors, supporting diverse literary voices, and bringing translated literature to readers. The India-UK Publishing Fellowship creates an opportunity for publishers from two different publishing markets to exchange knowledge, develop professional relationships, and explore potential collaborations. Participation in Jaipur BookMark and the London Book Fair also provides fellows with access to wider publishing networks and international industry conversations. It is a professional development and international exchange programme that connects independent publishers from India and the UK through participation in Jaipur BookMark and the London Book Fair. The Fellowship brings together two independent publishers: one from India and one from the UK. Selected fellows participate in Jaipur BookMark 2027 and the London Book Fair 2027. The Fellowship provides return economy airfare from the fellow’s home city to Jaipur and London, along with accommodation for 4–5 nights in each city and reimbursement of visa fees upon submission of receipts. Independent publishers based in India or the UK with at least five years of professional experience can apply. Applicants should be employed by or closely affiliated with independent publishing houses and should have an interest in translations and new literary voices. No. Literary agents, booksellers, translators, and employees of publishing conglomerates are not eligible. The Fellowship especially encourages publishers working with under-represented languages or regions, publishers who have not previously partici