Frequently Asked Questions about BII grants and the application procedure
What is BI-International doing?
BI-International is the standing committee of the national association Bibliothek & Information Deutschland (BID = Library & Information Germany). BII can provide a grant to support professional stays, group study trips and participation in congresses for library experts from around the world who would like to visit Germany's libraries, specialist events and conferences and who would like to organize a study trip through Germany's libraries.
BII consists of a committee with currently eight members and has an office in Berlin (see menu item "About us").
Who is granted by BII?
BII offers three exchange programs and grants for "Foreign Library Experts to Germany (AnD)":
- professional stays or internships in German libraries
- group study trips through German libraries
- participation in specialist events or conferences in Germany with a library theme
Employees in libraries and information institutions who are actively involved in professional life can take part.
All those who are interested in a special funding apply for it themselves and try to organize their stay independently (see menu item GRANTS for further information).
Job seekers, trainees and student trainees without student status can apply for a grant if it is part of the internships they have to complete during their training (students are otherwise excluded - see also FAQ "Who isl not funded by BII?")
Please check out the overview of exchange programmes for foreign librarians here.
Who is not funded by BII?
University members from the fields of library and information science as well as students and trainees are not supported. German citizens are in general not eligible in this program, even if they are employed abroad. No persons will be supported who are in connection with an entrepreneurial activity.
Interpreters or travel companions are not supported for group study trips.
Where can I find the application forms for financial support?
Web forms for the applications can be found under the menu "Grants" and then "Professional Stay", "Congress Attendance" or "Study Trips". Please see an overview here.
To fill out the application forms, you have to register first with your name. After that you can login and choose your specific program.
The application should be submitted as early as possible. No later than 6 weeks before departure.
Only completely filled out and complete applications with all documents will be processed.
The receipt of the application via the web form will be confirmed by e-mail. The decision is made after evaluation by the BII jury. Notification will be sent by e-mail.
By when must the application be submitted?
The application should be submitted as early as possible. We recommend no later than 6 weeks before departure. Please consider enough time ahead for your applications in regard to any visa regulations.
Only completely filled out and complete applications with all documents will be processed.
The receipt of the application via the web form will be confirmed by e-mail. The decision and notification is made by e-mail after evaluation by the BII jury. That might take also a couple of weeks.
How long does the application procedure take?
The BII jury discusses the applications as soon as possible and decides on a regular basis after receipt of the applications. We will endeavour to inform you of the decision within 6 weeks.
Please consider enough time ahead of your planned visit for any visa regulations.
The application should be sent no later than 6 weeks before the planned trip.
What is the funding for professional visits?
General information:
In case of a positive vote, the amount of the grant is calculated upon a per diem of 80 EUR for the duration of the professional visit and stay in Germany.
Travel to Germany and back home is at your own expense.
You will receive an additional 80 EUR if you travel to Germany within Europe or 160 EUR if you are coming from a country outside of Europe.
Payment will not be made in advance, but upon arrival in Germany.
Applicable funds are only available after final approval by the sponsor in the respective calendar year.
Where third party financing possibilities exist, these funds must be used as a matter of priority. Additional funding to the grant applied for with BII is possible, but must be included in the application.
In any case, BII can approve only one grant per calendar year per individual person. The grants are linked to the individual applicants and may not be tranferred to another person.
Professional visits in Germany by foreign librarians:
Info Sheet and Guidelines for download - Please watch carefully our detailed funding guidelines.
What is the funding for group study trips?
General information:
In case of a positive vote, the amount of the grant is calculated upon a per diem of 80 EUR for each member of the group for the duration of the stay in Germany. In case of a study trip weekends, public holidays, days without a specialist programme are not funded. The maximum funding is 6,000 EUR per group.
Travel to Germany and back home is at your own expense.
You will receive an additional 80 EUR if you travel to Germany within Europe or 160 EUR if you are coming from a country outside of Europe.
Payment will not be made in advance, but upon arrival in Germany.
Applicable funds are only available after final approval by the sponsor in the respective calendar year.
Where third party financing possibilities exist, these funds must be used as a matter of priority. Additional funding to the grant applied for with BII is possible, but must be included in the application.
In any case, BII can approve only one grant per calendar year per individual person. The grants are linked to the individual applicants and may not be tranferred to another person.
Study trips for foreign librarian groups to Germany:
Info Sheet and Guidelines for download - Please watch carefully our detailed funding guidelines.
What is the funding for participation in specialist events or conferences?
Virtual Conferences:
International librarians may receive funding for participation in a virtual or hybrid conference in Germany if they attend online. Funding is possibel for registrations fees from up to 50 € / or 100 € (applications from High Income Countries). Applications are possible until 14 days BEFORE the online conference starts!
--> application form
Face to Face Conferences:
In case of a positive vote, the amount of the grant is calculated upon a per diem of 80 EUR for the duration of the stay in Germany. In case of a congress attendance we may finance an Early Bird registration fee additionally.
Travel to Germany and back home is at your own expense.
You will receive an additional 80 EUR if you travel to Germany within Europe or 160 EUR if you are coming from a country outside of Europe.
Payment will not be made in advance, but upon arrival in Germany.
Applicable funds are only available after final approval by the sponsor in the respective calendar year.
Where third party financing possibilities exist, these funds must be used as a matter of priority. Additional funding to the grant applied for with BII is possible, but must be included in the application.
In any case, BII can approve only one grant per calendar year per individual person. The grants are linked to the individual applicants and may not be tranferred to another person.
Specialist Events and congress attendance in Germany for foreign librarians:
Info Sheet and Guidelines for download - Please watch carefully our detailed funding guidelines.
What is ment by "proviso of availibility"?
The approval is made under condition to the availability of the estimated budget funds.
Who may I contact for questions in regard to the application or in case of technical issues?
If you have any questions, please contact the BII office or one of the Board Members (see also About us).
Main contact for applicants from abroad:
Office BI-International
c/o German Library Association
Fritschestr. 27-28
10585 Berlin
Phone: +49 (0) 30 644 98 99 21
Fax: +49 (0) 30 644 98 99 27
E-mail: bii@bi-international.de
If you have any technical problems, please send us an e-mail and a screenshot. That helps for your communication with our help desk.
I you fill out the application form, please use an up to date version of Firefox, Chrome or Safare and use a PC and no mobile device.
Do I have to look for a host institution myself?
Yes, but BII is happy to support you if desired. You may find some useful links to look out for intersting German libraries under the menu item "Grants / Host Libraries"
How should the required report be delivered?
The report shall be delivered in electronic form so that it can be published on the BII homepage. Please use the template under the menu item Reports.
Alternatively, the BII blog can also be used.
In addition, German library trainees are required to apply for publication in a relevant German library journal.
Can the report be published elsewhere?
Sure - gladly. Please mention the financial support by BII.
How do I get my grant?
The funding sum is transferred by arrival in Germany.
By when do I have to submit the report?
The claiming of the grant obliges every fellow to submit a meaningful, written report about the study trip within six weeks after the end of the trip. The report must contain a clear reference to the support provided by BII.
BII is granted the right to publish the report completely or in excerpts on the BII website.
All photos must be licensed under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Please note:
At congress participations the discussed contents and results of the conference should be reflected and inform all, which who could not participate.
For study trips, the report must document the participation of all group members.
Please find here some guidelines for writing a report.
On the NEWS Section you may find the latest reports from BII-fellows.