Munich International Youth Fellowships 2027 in Germany | €1,300 Monthly Stipend
Applications are now open for the International Youth Library Fellowship Programme 2027 in Munich, Germany, a specialized research opportunity for international scholars, doctoral candidates, graduates and authors working in the field of children's and young adult literature and illustration.
Hosted by the International Youth Library (Internationale Jugendbibliothek) at Blutenburg Castle in Munich, the fellowship allows selected researchers to spend between six weeks and three months conducting research using one of the world's largest collections of children's and youth literature.
Fellows receive a €1,300 monthly scholarship instalment to support living expenses in Munich, as well as access to approximately 650,000 books in 260 languages, a dedicated workplace, specialist support from librarians and children's literature experts, and assistance in finding accommodation.
The programme is funded by the Bavarian Ministry for Science and Arts and is intended to promote international academic exchange, young researchers and intercultural cooperation.
Munich International Youth Fellowships 2027 Details
- Fellowship: International Youth Library Fellowship Programme
- Host: International Youth Library
- Location: Blutenburg Castle, Munich, Germany
- Research Period: 6 weeks to 3 months
- Monthly Stipend: €1,300
- Eligible Applicants: International researchers with non-German citizenship
- Academic Level: Graduates, doctoral candidates and PhD holders
- Fields: Children's and young adult literature, illustration and related research
- Language: German and/or English
- Mode: In-person research stay
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
- Research Stay: 2027
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The official International Youth Library confirms that the fellowship is open to graduates, doctoral candidates and PhD holders who are not German citizens and have sufficient fluency in German and/or English.
About the International Youth Library Fellowship
The International Youth Library's fellowship programme has been running for more than 60 years and welcomes around 15 scholars from Europe and other regions each year.
The programme is specifically designed for researchers who need to work with international children's and youth literature collections as part of a defined research project.
It is therefore different from a general scholarship or youth leadership programme. Applicants should already have a research topic and some preliminary work completed before beginning their fellowship.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
Selected fellows receive several forms of academic and financial support.
€1,300 Monthly Stipend
Fellows receive a €1,300 monthly scholarship instalment intended to support their living expenses during their stay in Munich.
Access to 650,000+ Books
One of the programme's biggest advantages is access to the International Youth Library's extensive collection of approximately 650,000 books in 260 languages.
This makes the fellowship particularly valuable for researchers conducting international, comparative or intercultural research involving children's and young adult literature.
Research Workspace
Fellows receive a workplace in the library's scientific reading room, allowing them to work directly with the collection and research materials.
Expert Support
Participants can receive assistance from librarians and specialists in children's literature to help them navigate the library's collections and conduct their research.
Accommodation Assistance
The International Youth Library also provides support in finding suitable accommodation for the duration of the research stay.
Poster Presentation
Fellows have the opportunity to participate in a poster session where they can present the current state of their research.
Who Is Eligible?
The fellowship is intended for international researchers working in children's and young adult literature and related fields.
According to the official requirements, eligible applicants include:
- Graduates
- Doctoral candidates
- PhD holders
- Young researchers
- Authors working on relevant publication projects
Applicants must have non-German citizenship and sufficient fluency in German and/or English.
Authors may also be considered when they need to consult international works at the International Youth Library for a specific publication project.
Research Areas
The fellowship focuses on research in areas including:
- Children's literature
- Young adult literature
- Illustration
- International children's books
- Comparative children's literature
- Reading cultures
- Literary and cultural exchange
- Related research requiring access to children's and youth literature collections
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Applicants should have a clearly defined research project and explain why materials available at the International Youth Library are important to their work.
Important Financial Information
Although the fellowship provides a €1,300 monthly stipend, it does not cover every expense associated with travelling to Germany.
The official International Youth Library states that fellows must arrange their own health insurance, while travel expenses cannot be covered by the fellowship.
Applicants should therefore prepare financially for expenses that are not covered by the programme.
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare the following:
- Completed online application form
- Cover letter of approximately 1–2 pages
- Selection of relevant academic publications, projects and activities
- List of relevant conferences and seminars
- Detailed research project description of up to 3 pages
The research proposal should explain the importance of the International Youth Library's materials to the project. Applicants are also asked to give examples of titles in the library's collection that they intend to use during their stay.
How to Apply
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you are a non-German citizen and that your academic or professional background fits the fellowship's research focus.
Step 2: Develop Your Research Project
Prepare a clear research proposal explaining your research objectives and why the International Youth Library's collection is important.
Step 3: Identify Relevant Materials
Search the library's online catalogue and identify books or other materials that will support your research.
Step 4: Prepare Your Documents
Complete the application form and prepare your cover letter, publication/activity list, conference list and detailed research proposal.
Step 5: Submit Online
Submit your completed application through the official International Youth Library application system.
Applications are evaluated by a jury consisting of librarians and children's book specialists from the International Youth Library.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 30 September 2026
The International Youth Library states that applications are due on 30 September for fellowship stays taking place in the following year. Therefore, applicants applying by September 30, 2026 are applying for a research stay in 2027.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity may be particularly suitable for:
- Researchers in children's literature
- Young academics
- Doctoral candidates
- PhD holders
- Graduates with relevant research projects
- Authors researching children's or young adult literature
- Researchers studying illustration
- Scholars conducting international or comparative literature research
It is not intended as a general youth scholarship for applicants from unrelated academic fields.
Why Apply?
The Munich fellowship provides an opportunity to conduct concentrated research in a unique international academic environment.
Participants can work with a huge multilingual collection while receiving financial support and guidance from specialists in children's and young adult literature.
The international nature of the programme can also help researchers develop academic networks and gain experience working with international collections.
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Official Application Link
Official International Youth Library Fellowship Programme:
Conclusion
The Munich International Youth Fellowships 2027 offer a specialized research opportunity in Germany for international scholars, doctoral candidates, graduates and authors working in children's and young adult literature and illustration.
Successful fellows can receive a €1,300 monthly stipend, access to more than 650,000 books in 260 languages, a research workspace, specialist support and assistance with finding accommodation.
However, applicants should remember that this is a research fellowship rather than a general youth programme, and travel expenses and health insurance are not covered.
If your research project fits the programme's focus, prepare your documents early and submit your application before the 30 September 2026 deadline.

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