Development loan for publishing houses (CNL)
The CNL loan can fund certain investment and operating costs linked to publishing development. It can cover up to 50% of the project, without exceeding 15% of net accounting turnover from book sales. Companies must in particular show a structured publishing activity, annual book sales above €100,000 and bookshop outlets. The next indicative dates are 5 March and 27 August 2027.
Developing a publishing house may require strengthening working capital, reorganising distribution, broadening the publishing programme or taking over a backlist. The Centre national du livre (CNL) offers an interest-free loan to support the development and long-term future of independent publishing houses meeting precise criteria. The official page publishes application deadlines for 2027.
Funded by Centre National du Livre (CNL)
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Who can apply
Legal entities with a SIREN number and tax resident in France, independent or partner companies within the EU SME definition, whose articles include publishing. They must publish in French or a language of France, make at least 50% of turnover from sales of new books (excluding journals), normally have three years of activity and exceed €100,000 of annual book sales net of discounts and returns. Other criteria concern distribution, bookshop sales and the publishing fields supported. Public publishing, vanity publishing, self-publishing and companies in collective proceedings are excluded.
Eligibility conditions
The project must be relevant to the market and have balanced funding. The CNL examines in particular the financial situation and debt, the team’s skills and other aid obtained or applied for. Costs incurred before the deadline, property purchases, hiring staff, developing e-commerce sites and projects already financed by an ongoing CNL loan are excluded. The CNL loan cannot be combined with an IFCIC loan for the same financing.
What the scheme covers
Eligible costs: tangible and intangible fixed assets, restructuring working capital, changing distributor, strengthening the publishing programme and taking over or transferring a publishing house. Property purchases, hiring staff, e-commerce sites and projects already started before the deadline are not eligible according to the CNL.
Amount and funding terms
According to the CNL, the loan can cover up to 50% of the project cost and cannot exceed 15% of the company’s net accounting turnover from book sales. It is an interest-free loan. After a grace period of 12 to 18 months, it is repaid in five to twelve annual instalments. The CNL may ask for a guarantee and may pay the loan in instalments.
How to apply
Applications are made only on the CNL’s online aid portal. Create your account at least three working days before the deadline, then prepare the financial information, detailed budget, financing plan and evidence of distribution and sales. The official page indicates indicative deadlines of 5 March 2027 and 27 August 2027; check the dates and documents before applying.
Timeline
The CNL’s official page shows indicative deadlines of 5 March 2027 and 27 August 2027, for committees in April and September. The portal account must be created at least three working days before the deadline. Check the official timetable when applying.
Key facts
- Funder
- Centre National du Livre (CNL)
- Type of funding
- Loan
- Status
- Ongoing
- Funding rate
- 50%
- Automatically extracted — check the official source
- Geographic scope
- All of France
Frequently asked questions
Who is this aid for?
Legal entities with a SIREN number and tax resident in France, independent or partner companies within the EU SME definition, whose articles include publishing. They must publish in French or a language of France, make at least 50% of turnover from sales of new books (excluding journals), normally have three years of activity and exceed €100,000 of annual book sales net of discounts and returns. Other criteria concern distribution, bookshop sales and the publishing fields supported. Public publishing, vanity publishing, self-publishing and companies in collective proceedings are excluded.
What amount or rate can be obtained?
According to the CNL, the loan can cover up to 50% of the project cost and cannot exceed 15% of the company’s net accounting turnover from book sales. It is an interest-free loan. After a grace period of 12 to 18 months, it is repaid in five to twelve annual instalments. The CNL may ask for a guarantee and may pay the loan in instalments.
Which conditions should be checked?
The project must be relevant to the market and have balanced funding. The CNL examines in particular the financial situation and debt, the team’s skills and other aid obtained or applied for. Costs incurred before the deadline, property purchases, hiring staff, developing e-commerce sites and projects already financed by an ongoing CNL loan are excluded. The CNL loan cannot be combined with an IFCIC loan for the same financing.
Which costs or operations are concerned?
Eligible costs: tangible and intangible fixed assets, restructuring working capital, changing distributor, strengthening the publishing programme and taking over or transferring a publishing house. Property purchases, hiring staff, e-commerce sites and projects already started before the deadline are not eligible according to the CNL.
Official source
No official URL is available in our data for this grant.
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