Deadline: 03-Sep-2025
The Danish Arts Foundation is accepting applications for its Sample Translations Grant Program, which aims to make Danish literature more accessible both within Denmark and internationally. This initiative supports publishers and agencies, Danish or foreign, who wish to commission a sample translation of a contemporary Danish work.
The primary goal of the program is to enable publishers to evaluate whether a full translation and publication of a Danish work would be viable. To that end, the grant is meant to cover only the translator’s fee.
The grant amount is fixed at DKK 8,000 for a 40-page sample when the original work exceeds 100 pages. For illustrated works or those under 100 pages, the grant is DKK 3,000. Applicants are expected to co-finance the translation. If the grant amount is DKK 100,000 or less, payment is made as close to the applicant’s stated project start date as possible.
Grants can only be used for sample translations of Danish works into foreign languages. Translations that fall into academic, educational, or lifestyle-related genres are not eligible. Applications involving self-translation or revisions of one’s own work are also excluded.
Eligible applicants include both Danish and foreign publishers and agencies. Each applicant may submit requests for up to four sample translations, to ensure wide distribution of support.
Applications are evaluated primarily on the artistic quality of the proposed project. The committee looks at the literary value of the work, its relevance and appeal, the translator’s experience and proficiency—especially whether they are translating into their mother tongue—and whether the author is living. Preference is usually given to living authors or to deceased ones whose work has regained relevance.
To ensure fair distribution, the committee gives priority to applicants who have received little or no previous support. It may also prioritize among multiple submissions from the same applicant. Applications for translation into Swedish or Norwegian are generally not prioritized, as it is assumed that publishers in those countries can understand Danish.
Sustainability is encouraged as part of the project planning, with applicants urged to incorporate environmentally conscious practices.
Applicants must submit a document detailing the sample translation request, a 5–8-page excerpt of the original Danish text, and a completed bank information form.
For more information, visit Danish Arts Foundation.
