Applications Invited for Translation Funding Programme

About the Organization

The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. We promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. We convey a comprehensive image of Germany by providing information about cultural, social and political life in our nation. Our cultural and educational programmes encourage intercultural dialogue and enable cultural involvement. They strengthen the development of structures in civil society and foster worldwide mobility. With our network of Goethe-Instituts, Goethe Centres, cultural societies, reading rooms and exam and language learning centres, we have been the first point of contact for many with Germany for over sixty years. Our long-lasting partnerships with leading institutions and individuals in over ninety countries create enduring trust in Germany. We are partners for all who actively engage with Germany and its culture, working independently and without political ties.

Conditions of Funding

Whom we fund

We fund international professional publishers who wish to translate German-language books. Any publishing house applying for this grant must have both well-documented experience of publishing quality literature and professional distribution channels.

Neither translators nor authors may apply for translation subsidies through this support scheme.

What we fund

We fund translations of works written in the German language and published in printed form by a publisher in a German-speaking country. The translation must be made from the original German text.

The nationality of the author is irrelevant to the application, with the restriction that applications for works of fiction by contemporary Austrian authors must be submitted to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS) and for contemporary Swiss authors to Pro Helvetia.

The translation must not go to print before the funding agreement has been signed.

Books from the following genres are eligible for a grant application:

• Literary fiction, poetry, picture books, comics and graphic novels for adults, children and young adults.
• Non-fiction and essays on current, social topics relevant to contemporary discourse in Germany and in the target countries.
• Scholarly works of general interest and overarching relevance to current discourses in the fields of the humanities and social sciences.

The grant scheme aims to support the translation of contemporary works. Priority will be given to translations of the work of contemporary German authors into languages where there are no or few previous translations of that author's work or other German literature.

Canonical literature can only be considered if the respective text has not yet been translated or if the applicant presents valid reasons for a new translation in the project justification.

Irrespective of genre, the work for which a subsidy is being applied must be of high literary quality in terms of style, form and content. The quality of the publications to be translated will be assessed by the jury.

Translations by translators who have relevant experience in translating from German or have completed professional training in translation will be supported. The quality of the application will also be assessed based on the following criteria concerning the applicant publisher: quality of the programme (backlist, current catalogue), quality of previously published translations, book design, distribution network, etc.

APPLICATIONS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL SELECTION OF TEXTS (E.G. AN ANTHOLOGY)

It is possible to apply for a text selection compiled by or for the applicant publisher.

Additional application documents are required for this:

• Index of the selected texts, including the original German titles and bibliographic data.
• Reasons for the selection of the texts.
• Scanned copies of the included complete material.

What we do not fund

• Light fiction, crime novels
• Specialist scholarly works (e.g. doctoral / postdoctoral theses), reference books, study materials, textbooks, commemorative publications,
• theatre texts,
• Sheet music,
• Yearbooks, books of local interest, exhibition catalogues,
• Hobby books, craft books, handbooks, cookbooks, and travel guides
• We do not fund the translation of foreign-language books into German.

What does the funding consist of?

If a grant application is approved, the Goethe-Institut reimburses the publisher with a share of the translation costs after publication of the translated work, usually approx. 40-60%. Full payment of translation costs or financing of licensing, printing or editorial costs is not envisaged.

The maximum amount per book is 8,000 Euros.

The sum applied for should correspond to the fee agreed to in the signed translation contract with the translator. The total sum of the fee must be paid to the translator, regardless of the amount that the Goethe-Institut has granted. The translator must confirm having received the full amount before a reimbursement of the grant can take place.

The funding commitment is valid for three years, the expiry date is specified in the funding contract.

application periods

15 August to 15 September 2026 for translations going to press in December 2026 or later. The funding decision will be communicated to the applicant by email on 20 November 2026.

For more informtaion, please check the link:  Applications Invited Translation Funding Programme  Grants for German-Language Literature

Tags Education and Education Technology (edtech) Liberal Arts Others