Munich International Youth Fellowships 2027 offer international researchers, doctoral candidates, graduates, and authors a funded research stay in Germany with a €1,300 monthly stipend, access to 650,000 books, and specialist support. Applications close September 30, 2026.
The Munich International Youth Fellowships 2027 offer international researchers an opportunity to conduct focused research at the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany. The fellowship is designed for researchers working in children’s and young adult literature, including related areas such as illustration, literary translation, publishing history and reading culture.
Selected fellows receive a €1,300 monthly stipend and spend between six weeks and three months conducting research at Blutenburg Castle, home of the International Youth Library. The library’s collection contains approximately 650,000 books in around 260 languages, providing fellows with access to a major international resource for youth-literature research.
The application deadline is September 30, 2026, for research stays taking place in 2027.
Munich International Youth Fellowships 2027 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | International Youth Library Fellowship Programme |
| Host Institution | International Youth Library |
| Location | Blutenburg Castle, Munich, Germany |
| Duration | 6 weeks to 3 months |
| Monthly Stipend | €1,300 |
| Collection | Approx. 650,000 books in 260 languages |
| Funding | Bavarian Ministry for Science and Arts |
| Eligible Applicants | International researchers/non-German citizens |
| Languages | German and/or English |
| Deadline | September 30, 2026 |
About the International Youth Library Fellowship
The International Youth Library’s fellowship programme is intended for applicants who have a clearly defined research project and require access to the library’s specialised collections.
Unlike a general study grant, the fellowship is structured around concentrated research using the library’s holdings. Fellows are based at Blutenburg Castle in Munich for six weeks to three months and can work directly with the library’s extensive collection.
The programme is financed by the Bavarian Ministry for Science and Arts and supports international academic exchange, early-career researchers, and cross-cultural research in children’s and youth literature.
What Does the €1,300 Stipend Cover?
Selected fellows receive a €1,300 monthly stipend intended to contribute toward living costs in Munich.
The fellowship also provides:
- A dedicated workspace in the library’s scientific reading room.
- Access to the library’s books and archival materials.
- Guidance from library staff and subject specialists.
- Assistance in finding suitable accommodation.
- An opportunity to present research findings during a poster session.
However, applicants should note that the fellowship does not cover everything associated with the research stay. According to the supplied source, travel to and from Munich and health insurance are not covered. Fellows should therefore budget separately for these expenses.
Research Areas
The fellowship is intended for projects connected to children’s or young adult literature, illustration, or closely related fields.
Potential research areas include:
- Comparative children’s literature.
- Picture books and visual narratives.
- Young adult fiction.
- Literary translation studies.
- Illustration and visual storytelling.
- Reading habits and literacy culture.
- History of children’s book publishing.
- Intercultural and cross-border storytelling.
- Historical and archival children’s literature.
- Cultural representations of childhood.
A strong application should demonstrate that the research project genuinely requires access to the International Youth Library’s collections rather than merely presenting the library as one of many possible research resources.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to non-German citizens working on relevant research projects.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Recent graduates with an active research project.
- Doctoral candidates.
- Researchers who already hold a PhD.
- Early-career academics.
- Established researchers.
- Authors working on publication projects requiring international sources.
Applicants must also have sufficient proficiency in German and/or English to work with library staff, use the collections and communicate during the research stay.
The programme particularly welcomes researchers based in developing and transition countries, according to the supplied fellowship information.
Application Requirements
Applicants should prepare several documents before beginning the application.
These include:
1. Online Application Form
Applicants must complete the fellowship’s online application form.
2. Cover Letter
The cover letter should introduce the applicant and research project and explain why a research stay at the International Youth Library is necessary.
3. Publications and Professional Activities
Applicants should provide a selected list of relevant publications, projects, or professional activities in children’s or young adult literature.
4. Conferences and Academic Events
A list of conferences, seminars or other academic events where the applicant has presented or contributed should also be prepared.
5. Research Project Description
Applicants must provide a detailed research project description of no more than three pages. The description should explain why the library’s specific collections are important to the project and provide examples of titles or materials the applicant intends to consult.
How to Apply
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Confirm that you are a non-German citizen, have sufficient German and/or English proficiency, and have a research project connected to children’s or young adult literature.
Step 2: Develop Your Research Proposal
Your project should be specific, well developed, and connected to materials held by the International Youth Library.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Complete the application form and prepare the cover letter, three-page research proposal, publication list, and conference list.
Step 4: Submit Online
Applications are submitted through the International Youth Library’s website.
Step 5: Await Selection
Applications are reviewed by a jury consisting of librarians and children’s literature specialists. Successful candidates are contacted directly by the library.
Step 6: Prepare for Munich
Successful fellows arrange their own travel and health insurance, while the library can assist with finding accommodation.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Munich International Youth Fellowships 2027 is:
September 30, 2026
The research stays will take place in 2027, with exact dates arranged individually with the International Youth Library.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare their research proposal and supporting materials well before the deadline.
How to Strengthen Your Application
A competitive application should go beyond simply explaining why you want to visit Germany.
The supplied fellowship information recommends that applicants:
- Explain specifically why the International Youth Library is necessary for their research.
- Reference actual books, titles, or collections they plan to use.
- Demonstrate prior research or groundwork.
- Clearly present their academic or professional background.
- Connect their research plan to the library’s collection strengths.
- Proofread all application materials carefully.
- Submit before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
The most important point is specificity. Your proposal should show a clear connection between your research question and the materials available at the International Youth Library.
About the International Youth Library
The International Youth Library was founded in 1949 by German journalist and writer Jella Lepman with the goal of promoting international understanding through children’s books.
Today, the library is based at Blutenburg Castle in Munich and holds approximately 650,000 books in around 260 languages. Its activities include research fellowships, exhibitions, public events and publications.
Blutenburg Castle itself is a historic 15th-century Late Gothic moated castle in western Munich. The International Youth Library has been based there since 1983.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Munich International Youth Fellowship?
It is a research fellowship hosted by the International Youth Library for international researchers working on children’s and young adult literature and related fields.
How much is the stipend?
Selected fellows receive €1,300 per month.
How long is the fellowship?
The research stay lasts between six weeks and three months.
Where is the fellowship held?
It takes place at the International Youth Library inside Blutenburg Castle in Munich, Germany.
Do I need a PhD?
No. The supplied information indicates that graduates, doctoral candidates, early-career academics, and authors can apply.
What languages are required?
Applicants need proficiency in German and/or English.
Does the fellowship cover travel?
No. Travel expenses and health insurance are not covered, according to the supplied information.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is September 30, 2026.
Final Thoughts
The Munich International Youth Fellowships 2027 provide a specialised research opportunity for international scholars, doctoral candidates, graduates and authors working in children’s and young adult literature.
With a €1,300 monthly stipend, a research stay of up to three months, access to approximately 650,000 books in 260 languages, specialist guidance and a dedicated workspace, the programme could be particularly valuable for applicants whose projects depend on international children’s literature collections.
However, this is not a general scholarship for studying any subject in Germany. Applicants need a well-defined project related to the fellowship’s research areas and should be able to demonstrate why the International Youth Library’s collections are important to their work.
Deadline: September 30, 2026.
Official website: International Youth Library
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