Introduction 

The British Council supports international cultural exchange by creating opportunities for artists, cultural professionals and organisations to build connections, share knowledge, and develop lasting relationships between the UK and China. 

Across Lines & Shelves is a pilot programme supporting UK–mainland China literary exchange through flexible bookshop-supported residencies. The programme enables literary professionals from organisations to spend time in a different cultural context, build networks, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for future collaboration. 

Through an open call, participants from the UK and mainland China will be matched with partner bookshops. The residency provides space for exchange, learning, and the development of future collaborative projects between the two countries. 

What the programme offers 

  • A short-term residency attached to a bookshop in the UK or mainland China
  • A travel grant up to £3,000 to cover international travel costs including return economy airfare, 6 nights’ accommodation, local travel, food and other incidental expenses
  • Opportunities to engage with local literary stakeholders, communities, audiences, and bookshop networks 

Residency format 

The programme will support: 

  • Two China-based participants to undertake residencies in UK bookshops
  • Two UK-based participants to undertake residencies in China bookshops 

Participants will: 

  • Be matched with a host bookshop that can offer relevant local context, networks, and sector connections
  • Use the time during the residency to build connections with UK and China literary sectors through meetings and local events which inspire ideas and the networks required for future UK-China collaborations. 

Eligibility

  • Representatives from UK or mainland China literary organisations, bookshops, publishers, festivals, cultural venues, or other relevant literary-sector platforms are eligible to apply. 
  • The representative does not need to be a permanent staff member of the organisation, but the organisation will need to verify that they are in a position to represent it and to develop new programmes, partnerships, public activities, or sector-facing initiatives on its behalf. 
  • Applicants must have the ability to support future collaborative projects with partners in the other country. They do not need to be the Director or senior lead of the organisation, but will need to demonstrate, for example through a letter confirming support from the organisation’s Director or senior representative, that they have the authority to develop projects and carry forward ideas emerging from the residency. 

* Please note that residencies will be conducted primarily in English. Applicants should consider whether they have sufficient English-language skills to participate fully in professional meetings, events and networking opportunities, as translation and interpretation support are not available through this programme.  

  • The bookshop residency travel grants aim to develop institutional links and therefore individuals or freelancers can only apply if they are working directly with an organisation in the UK or China
  • Funding bodies and for-profit companies are ineligible
  • These grants will not support academic links. 
  • For UK applicants - Individuals based (living) outside of the United Kingdom are ineligible, unless temporarily living outside of the United Kingdom but retaining a home address in the United Kingdom and defined by His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs as ‘resident the in the UK’ for tax – see here.
  • For Chinese applicants - Individuals based (living) outside of mainland China are ineligible, or does not have a legal address in mainland China at the time of application and throughout the project activity period. 

Role of bookshops 

Bookshops act as hosts, connectors, and collaborators within the programme, according to their capacity and areas of interest. 

They will: 

  • Offer practical guidance before and during the residency, including accommodation recommendations, local travel advice, and information about the local area.
  • Facilitate introductions and help arrange meetings with relevant literary organisations, publishers, writers, festivals, community groups, and other sector stakeholders.
  • Provide opportunities for participants to spend time in the bookshop and learn about its operations, including approaches to programming, audience development, marketing and communications, bookselling, partnerships, and community engagement.
  • Invite participants to observe or take part in relevant events, activities, and public programmes delivered during the residency period.  

Outcomes 

Participants are expected to: 

  • Develop initial ideas and connections that can lead to future collaborative projects with partners in the other country through British Council programmes or opportunities elsewhere 
  • Produce light-touch documentation (e.g. reflections, summary) when the residency is completed.  

Timeline 

Open Call launched – 13 October 2026
Submission deadline – 17 November 2026, 12:00 GMT (20:00 CST) 
Successful applicants notified – 10 December 2026 
Grant agreement signed – 21 December 2026 
Residencies must be completed by 30 June 2027 

Assessment 

All applicants will be evaluated by the British Council based on the following criteria and weighting: 

Criteria Weight
Quality – The organisation represented is of high literary/creative quality and has the capacity to develop international connections.  25%
Suitability – The proposed residency is relevant, and will provide opportunities for the participant to increase their understanding of the cultural sector as well as develop networks with peers in the other country.  25%
Planning – The proposed residency is well planned and resourced.   25%
Inclusivity - The application increases the visibility, recognition and influence of women, disabled and other underrepresented creative professionals.  25%

Access Support for Completing Your Application  

You can request funds for access costs that you have incurred in completing this application form. Access costs might include support workers, sign language interpreters, technical tools or mental health support. They are defined as costs that you incur due to a disability that others would not incur.  This support is available to all disabled applicants, whether they are successful or not.  

The support is available on two conditions:  

  1. You fully complete all sections of the application form and upload all required supporting documents.  
  2. Your application is submitted by the deadline.  

You can request this support through Application Form - Section C. Access costs for completing the application form.  

Please note that applications will not be assessed on the quality of written English. 

Notes for Applicants 

Note for Applicant is available in the download session at the bottom of the page, please read the document for full details. 

Contact   

If you have further questions, please contact Arts@britishcouncil.org.cn 
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