Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation - Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation Talent Scholarship-Bookselling

Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation Bookselling Scholarship

You will receive a sum of one-off payment of 30,000 EUR to open a bookshop, expand a recently opened or taken-over bookshop, or set up your own bookshop business. The funds will be transferred directly into your personal bank account. The grant is awarded by the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation, which supports young professionals in the fields of culture and media. If your project has an environmental or social focus, it may also be considered for a second prize, the ‘Bourse Regard Engagé’, worth 10,000 EUR.

Who can apply

• What you do: You are a young bookseller who is currently setting up a bookshop, developing a bookshop that you opened or took over less than three years ago, or running an independent project in the book trade.
• Ownership: If a company already exists, you hold at least 50% of its shares and are its registered managing director.
• Age: On 31 December of the application year, you will be 35 years old or younger.
• Language: You may present your project in French, either in writing or orally. You do not need to be from a French-speaking country.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. There are no gender-specific restrictions.
• Team: One to three people may apply together for a single project. Each of these people must meet the age requirement.

How to apply

Please submit your complete application online via the Foundation’s website by 14 June. Only your first submission will be considered. A committee will shortlist the applications. The shortlisted candidates will then present their project to the jury in French between September and October, before a winner is selected.

How realistic are your chances?

Only one scholarship is awarded each year, and the jury may decide not to award it at all. It is therefore a single, prestigious prize for which there is genuine competition. However, the pool of applicants is limited: young booksellers with a specific bookshop or project. A well-prepared applicant who clearly meets the requirements will stand out. The key factors are a compelling, original bookshop business plan and a confident presentation in French.