Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant: terms and conditions

Thank you for your interest in Penguin’s National Year of Reading initiative – the Children’s Bookshop Grant 2026 (the Children’s Bookshop Grant). 

By applying for the Children’s Bookshop Grant 2026 each applicant agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions (Terms and Conditions).  

1. Eligibility

The Children’s Bookshop Grant is open to all independent Bookshops located in the UK (Applicant), who:

operate a dedicated children’s book section;
derive their primary source of revenue from the sale of books; and
are not department stores, discount department stores, supermarkets, or part of a retail group or chain operating more than fifteen (15) stores (including related entities).

2. Applications

2.1 There is no fee to apply for the Children’s Bookshop Grant.  The application window opens on Tuesday 10 February at 9AM GMT and closes at 23.59PM GMT on 31 March 2026 (Closing Date).

2.2 Applications must be submitted via the online application form made available by Penguin UK.

2.3 Each Applicant must submit one application only.  Multiple or duplicate applications will be deemed invalid.  Where an independent bookshop operates multiple stores (but fewer than fifteen (15) in total), each individual store may submit up to one application per store.    

2.4 Applications submitted after the Closing Date, or which are incomplete, illegible, misleading or fraudulent, will not be considered. Penguin UK is not responsible for late, lost, corrupted or misdirected applications.

2.5 By submitting an application, each Applicant warrants that all information provided is true, accurate, current and complete.

2.6 Each Applicant acknowledges that they have read and understood Penguin UK’s Privacy Policy: Penguin Privacy Policy. 

3. Grant details

3.1 “Successful Applicants” may be awarded a grant valued between £1,500.00 and £5,000.00 (Grant).  Please note that Penguin UK reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award a Grant in an amount lower than that requested in the application following assessment of the application against the selection criteria.

3.2  The Grant will be provided by way of bank transfer to the Successful Applicant’s designated bank account.  No cash alternative is available and the Grant is non-transferable.

4. Assessment and selection

4.1   All valid applications will be assessed by an internal judging panel appointed by Penguin UK (the Panel).

4.2   Applications will be assessed on the basis of the five set criteria: innovation, impact & reach, inclusivity & accessibility, clarity of plan, and value for money.  Chance plays no part in determining successful Applicants.

4.3   All decisions of the Panel are final and not subject to appeal.

4.4   Successful Applicants will be notified by email.

5. Conditions of award

5.1   All Grants are subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Terms and Conditions.

5.2   By accepting a Grant, a Successful Applicant agrees that:

the Grant shall be used strictly in accordance with the purpose set out in the successful application;
the funded project must be delivered by 31 December 2026 (Project Deadline), unless otherwise agreed in advance with Penguin UK;
if the funded project fails to commence or is not delivered by the Project Deadline, Penguin UK reserves the right to require repayment of all or part of the Grant;
Successful Applicant shall indemnify and shall keep indemnified Penguin UK against any actions, claims, proceedings, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, charges, expenses and costs (including legal costs on an indemnity basis) suffered, incurred or sustained by Penguin UK as a result of or in connection with any act, omission or any breach by the Successful Applicant of these Terms and Conditions.

6. Forfeiture and withdrawal

Penguin UK may withdraw or forfeit the Grant where:

Successful Applicant does not respond within fourteen (14) days of notification of the award;
a Successful Applicant is unable or unwilling to accept the Grant;
Penguin UK identifies eligibility or verification issues;
Penguin UK has reasonable grounds to believe that the actions of the Successful Applicant are fraudulent, dishonest, criminal and/or unjust to other Applicants; and/or
a Successful Applicant is in breach of these Terms and Conditions.

7. Limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by law, Penguin UK shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense suffered by an Applicant arising out of or in connection with their participation in the Children’s Bookshop Grant.

8. Variation or cancellation

Events beyond Penguin UK’s reasonable control may occur which render the Children’s Bookshop Grant impossible or impracticable to administer.  In such circumstances, Penguin UK reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to vary, suspend or cancel the Children’s Bookshop Grant without liability.

9. Governing law and jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

10. Penguin UK contact

Penguin Independents Sales team
NationalYearOfReading@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk