Grants from the Centre national du livre: funding a project in the book industry

Introduction

The Centre national du livre (CNL), a public administrative body under the authority of the Ministry of Culture, supports the creation and distribution of quality books as well as the development of reading. Its schemes may concern authors, translators, publishers, booksellers, libraries and organisers of literary events.

Which projects may be covered?

CNL schemes can support writing and translation, the publication of books, the economic development of publishing houses and bookshops, digital projects related to books, libraries and literary events. Criteria and beneficiary categories differ from grant to grant.

What types of support?

Depending on the scheme, support may take the form of a bursary, a grant or a loan, particularly for certain editorial and economic projects. Amounts, eligible expenses, any co-financing and repayment terms must be checked in the official regulations of each scheme.

Who can submit an application?

Beneficiaries vary: authors, translators, publishers, booksellers, libraries and organisers of literary events may be eligible. Some schemes are aimed solely at one professional category or impose conditions relating to activity, distribution, publication or status.

How to prepare an application?

Consult the scheme's official fact sheet and its general provisions. The CNL's digital application portal is the entry point for submitting relevant applications. Plan ahead for setting up the account: the CNL states that this should generally be done at least three working days before the deadline. Check the timeline, documents and application rules for each grant.

How can Capital OS help?

Capital OS can identify the referenced schemes that may match a project, its profession and its funding needs. This identification is an initial research lead: it is neither confirmation of eligibility nor a CNL decision. The managing body, status and conditions must be checked on the official fact sheet.

Frequently asked questions

Does the CNL support only publishers? No: it also offers schemes for authors, translators, booksellers, libraries and literary events. Are all grants open all year round? No, several operate with deadlines and panels. No, each set of regulations must be checked.

Call to action

Identify the CNL grants potentially relevant to your book or reading project, then check the criteria, documents and timeline on the official website.

All CNL grants

Official catalogue of grants, beneficiary categories and application timelines.

The CNL in brief

Missions, public body status and the main categories of stakeholders supported.

Digital grant application portal

Official portal and application instructions, including setting up the account ahead of the deadline.

Economic grants committee for publishing houses and bookshops

Reference source on economic grants for publishing houses and bookshops.

9 separate fact sheets in the Capital OS reference database

Link to the funder from the reference database; the actual managing body, whether it is open and the criteria must be checked individually.

Grant name

Purpose / objective