International Publishing Fellowship

Our professional development programme supports future publishing leaders in the UK and around the world.

A group of smiling delegates stand on a stage in a line, with red curtains hanging behind them.
International Publishing Fellowship at Jaipur BookMark, Jan 2023 (c) British Council

The International Publishing Fellowship (IPF) is a professional development programme that develops leadership and publishing skills, grows international networks and builds cultural understanding for future leaders in publishing. 

The Fellowship is based around an international cohort of next-generation publishing leaders, who come together to learn from each other and from professionals they encounter through a tailored study trip. These exchanges build confidence, enable insightful discussion about shared industry issues and inspire innovation in professional practice.

International Publishing Fellowship, 2025-26

In 2025-26, fourteen publishers will take part in the Fellowship and their involvement with coincide several landmarks in the international publishing calendar: FutureBook Conference in the UK, Sharjah Publishers Conference in the UAE, Jaipur BookMark in India and the London Book Fair.

The fellows then join the IPF alumni network, offering them opportunities to connect with the global publishing sector.

As I represent a small market of the small country it is always crucial for me to form new relationships internationally and IPF did provide this better than my past experiences with fellowships or other programmes.
Fellow from the Wider Europe region
Spaces like the IPF foster thoughtful connections, outside the frantic speed dating formats of rights fairs. This can only happen with sustained conversations, meetings that are meaningful and open, and the championing of relationships between editors for knowledge sharing.
Fellow from India

International Publishing Events

Here are the events that we will bring the fellows to, to connect them with publishers and widen their opportunities.

Sharjah Publishers Conference, UAE

Five UK publishers and agents will participate in a bespoke programme at the Sharjah Publishers Conference (2-4 November 2025), in partnership with the Sharjah Book Authority. Held just before Sharjah International Book Fair, the Publishers Conference attracts leading rights professionals from over 100 countries. 

The fellows will have access to seminars on global publishing trends, matchmaking sessions and networking opportunities, allowing participants to explore new markets and establish valuable connections in the Arab and global publishing industries. 

FutureBook Delegation, UK

We provide six international fellows the opportunity to attend FutureBook (1 December 2025), in partnership with The Bookseller. FutureBook is the UK’s leading conference focused on leadership and innovation in the publishing sector. 

This is part of a week-long programme of activities in Manchester and London, designed to foster professional exchange for the fellows. They will engage in curated meetings and roundtable discussions with UK publishing leaders, tailored to their areas of interest: digital innovation, business models, co-editions, marketing, translations and more.

Jaipur BookMark, India and London Book Fair, UK

The India-UK Publishing Fellowship is a collaboration between us at the British Council and Jaipur BookMark and provides an opportunity for independent publishers to gain international exposure. 

Fellows will foster international connections by attending the Jaipur BookMark (15-19 January 2026) and the London Book Fair (10-12 March 2026). They will explore new markets for books and strengthen collaborations between the UK and India.

Apply now

The application deadline for fellows is 31 October 2025.

Find out more

Our 2019 fellows

Watch our 2019 UK fellows host their international colleagues from Georgia, Turkey and Ukraine.

See also

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