ANN ARBOR, MI — Applications are open for current booksellers from a physical bookstore interested in learning about the publishing arm of the industry to apply for a scholarship to attend the Denver Publishing Institute (DPI). The scholarship, offered by the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation in collaboration with Sourcebooks and the Denver Publishing Institute at the University of Denver, is worth up to $7,000. It includes tuition, room and board, and up to $2,000 to cover travel and lost wages. Applications will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.
DPI is a four-week summer program (July 12 – August 7, 2026) at the University of Denver. Participants can choose to attend in person or as a remote student. DPI is taught by industry professionals who work for trade, university, textbook and independent publishers throughout the country. Course and lecture topics include book marketing, manuscript editing, copyediting and proofreading, digital marketing strategies, the role of the bookstore and many publishing specific courses.
“We honor and welcome booksellers to the Denver Publishing Institute each summer,” said Jill Smith, director of the Denver Publishing Institute. “Over the years, the Binc scholarship recipients attending the program have brought their front-line insight and passion for connecting books and readers. We are delighted to continue this scholarship with Binc and Sourcebooks.”
The application process – which is managed through DPI’s admission application – is open to booksellers who are currently employed (full- or part-time) at a physical bookstore with a tenure of at least 90 days and are employed by the bookstore at the time of the program. Applicants must discuss application and potential selection as scholarship recipient with their store owner/manager prior to applying for the scholarship.
Booksellers can apply here: https://gradadmissions.du.edu/apply/. After creating an account and starting the application, under Program Selection → Choose College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences → Denver Publishing Institute, Graduate Certificate. You will be able to select if you are applying for a Binc scholarship toward the end of the application process.