Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant – Apply Now

Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant supports independent UK bookshops with a dedicated children’s book section to improve reading culture among children and young adults for pleasure. The grants range from £1,500 to £5,000 and are open to UK bookshops. The application deadline is 11.59 pm on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. Successful applicants are notified by 30 April 2026, and projects must be delivered by 31 December 2026.

About The Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant

The Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant is sponsored by Penguin Random House UK as part of the National Year of Reading 2026 initiative. The grant supports independent bookshops in the United Kingdom in their efforts to inspire and encourage children and young people to read more books and develop positive, lasting relationships with reading. The grant is available to independent bookshops that have a dedicated children’s book section and engage families, schools and communities in the reading culture.  

Funding Size

• Typical grant amount: £1,500-£5,000
• Maximum award: £5,000
• Project duration supported: one year

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Who Can Apply for the Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant

• • Eligible organisation types: Independent bookshops in the UK

• Registration requirements:

• Applicants must have a dedicated section for children’s books.
• Applicants’ main source of income should be book sales.
• Geographic eligibility: United Kingdom
• Sector or thematic focus: 
• Reading promotion
• Literacy
• Children’s engagement with books

Application Process

• Visit the official grant portal to complete the online application and submit a project proposal.
• Agree to the terms and conditions of the grant and submit by March 31, 2026.
• Only one application is permitted for each applicant.
• The final selection and reward for the applicants depend on the organisation’s reviews. 

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Required Materials

• Project proposal 
• Detailed use of funds
• A dedicated children’s books section

Key Dates

• Application deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
• Applicants’ notification: Thursday, 30th April 
• Projects delivered by: Thursday 31st December 2026 

Selection Notes

• • The grant is competitive, with a limited number of applicants awarded each year. 

• Priority focus areas:

• • Projects that directly support children’s engagement with reading, improve access to books, and involve families and communities.

• Exclusions:

• Bookshops without a dedicated children books sections
• Bookshops outside the UK.
• Department stores
• Supermarkets
• Chain bookshops 

Official Source of the Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant

• Official Application Page: https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/campaigns/penguin-childrens-bookshop-grant