The TGEP Literary Network
Literary Translation Opportunities Worldwide
A curated and searchable guide to translation grants, sample-translation programmes, publisher funding, translator residencies and international initiatives supporting books across languages.
Literary translation requires artistic judgement, rights clearance and professional support.
Some programmes fund publishers, some support translators directly and others promote particular source languages or literary regions. TGEP identifies the applicant type so writers, translators, agents and publishers can approach each opportunity responsibly.
Types of translation opportunities
A programme may support the complete book, an initial sample, professional development, a residency or the promotion of a translated work.
Full Translation Grants
Funding towards the translator’s fee for a complete book, generally awarded to a publisher or rights-holding organisation.
Sample Translation Support
Funding for a polished extract used to present an untranslated work to publishers, agents, editors or funding panels.
Residencies, Awards and Development
Opportunities giving translators time, recognition, mentorship, professional exchange or access to writers, archives and specialists.
Selected Translation Programmes
Deadlines, eligible languages, territories and funding levels may change. Always consult the current official call before preparing an application.
Publisher Grant · United Kingdom
PEN Translates
PEN Translates supports publishers bringing outstanding literature into English while encouraging proper acknowledgement and payment of literary translators.
Sample Translation · Translators
PEN Presents
PEN Presents funds and showcases sample translations, with particular attention to underrepresented languages, regions and literary traditions.
German-Language Books · Worldwide
Goethe-Institut Translation Funding
The Goethe-Institut supports international publishers translating contemporary German-language literature, nonfiction, children’s books and other eligible works.
Regional Translation Network
TRADUKI Translation Support
TRADUKI supports literary exchange between German-speaking countries and Southeast Europe, including fiction, poetry, drama, children’s books and cultural nonfiction.
Global Literature into German
Litprom Translation Grant
Litprom promotes translated literature from regions historically underrepresented in the German-speaking book market.
Catalan and Aranese Literature
Institut Ramon Llull Translation Grants
Institut Ramon Llull supports the translation and international circulation of literature originally written in Catalan or Aranese.
Norwegian Literature Worldwide
NORLA Funding Schemes
NORLA operates several funding schemes designed to increase the translation and international publication of Norwegian books.
Polish Literature Abroad
©POLAND Translation Programme
The ©POLAND Translation Programme supports foreign publishers bringing Polish literature into other languages and markets.
Translator Residency · Catalonia
Translators in Residency
This programme supports translators working on an active translation of Catalan or Aranese literature by providing concentrated working time in Catalonia.
Translator Residency · Poland
Translators’ Collegium
The Translators’ Collegium provides translators of Polish literature with time and access to resources, authors and experts in Poland.
How to approach a translation opportunity
Translation applications require literary quality, rights clarity and a credible publishing or professional plan.
Identify the true applicant
Confirm whether the translator, publisher, agency or rights holder must submit the application. Many full-book grants are not open to translators acting alone.
Secure permissions
Establish who controls the source-language rights and obtain the permission, option or confirmation required by the funding programme.
Present a strong sample
A translation sample should demonstrate accuracy, literary judgement, voice and awareness of the target readership rather than word-for-word substitution.
Common application materials
Requirements differ by programme. Use the current official checklist rather than sending a generic package.
Translation rights must be cleared before publication.
Owning or possessing a copy of the original book does not create the right to translate and publish it. The relevant copyright holder or authorised rights representative must grant translation and publication rights for the agreed language, territory, format and term.
Translation scams and misleading offers
Be cautious of unsolicited translation commissions, requests to pay a “rights release” fee to an unknown intermediary, contracts assigning all rights without defined payment, publishers using unofficial domains and programmes that cannot identify their funder, selection process or previous awards.
Please verify every programme before applying
Deadlines, funding levels, languages, territories and eligibility may change. The Good Earth Publishers is not affiliated with the listed organisations unless expressly stated. Inclusion is informational and does not constitute endorsement, legal advice, rights clearance or a guarantee of funding.
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