Awards & Scholarships
IBPA Publishing Awards and Scholarships
As the largest not-for-profit trade association in the book industry, the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) recognizes excellence and innovation in print and digital publishing with the Benjamin Franklin Awards and the Benjamin Franklin Digital Book Awards. In addition, IBPA supports and encourages the rising stars of the industry with the Affiliate Scholarship Program and the Jan Nathan Scholarship.
The Benjamin Franklin Awards
Named in honor of America’s most cherished publisher/printer, the Benjamin Franklin Award™ recognizes excellence in independent publishing. Publications are grouped by genre and judged on editorial and design merit by top practitioners in each field.
The Benjamin Franklin Award trophies are given to the best books in numerous categories and are presented to the winning publishers during a gala awards ceremony. All entrants receive critique sheets with words of appreciation for the good work produced, as well as advice on how to improve their publications.
View previous Winners and Finalists!
Learn More about the Benjamin Franklin Award.
The Benjamin Franklin Digital Awards
The Benjamin Franklin Digital Awards honor achievement in electronic book publishing by individuals and organizations of all sizes, including publishers, developers, designers, manufacturers, institutions, and technology leaders. The awards are administered by the IBPA, with the help of more than 50 book publishing professionals representing all segments of the book industry.
Learn more about the Benjamin Franklin Digital Awards
IBPA Affiliate Scholarship Program
IBPA’s Affiliate Scholarship Program provides opportunities for affiliate members who are interested in advancing their publishing program to attend IBPA’s annual Publishing University. IBPA awards one scholarship to each affiliate, each year. Applications are submitted to the regional affiliate, not directly to IBPA. The affiliate then sends all applications received along with their recommendation(s) to the IBPA office. The IBPA Board of Directors, or their representatives, then awards scholarship to the candidates who meet the established criteria.
The scholarships are intended for publishers who need assistance in growing his or her publishing program. The recipient will be able to attend at no charge all seminars during the two-day program, all food functions and special events. IBPA encourages affiliate groups to provide a stipend to help cover the recipient’s travel and accommodation cost for IBPA Publishing University.
Learn more about the IBPA Affiliates Scholarship program
The Jan Nathan Scholarship
The Jan Nathan Scholarship celebrates the legacy of IBPA’s long-time executive director, Jan Nathan, by fostering professional small and independent publishing through education. Established by the IBPA Board of Directors, the Award is administered out of funds contributed to the Jan Nathan Memorial Fund. Originally intended as an award to attend the Stanford Publishing Course which no longer exists, the Jan Nathan Scholarship is currently on hiatus pending further evaluation by the IBPA Board of Directors.
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