Deadline: 01-Sep-2025
The Swedish Arts Council is currently accepting applications for its Swedish Literature and Drama Translation Grants to increase the publishing of quality literature in other Nordic languages and to foster wider discussion on translated literature.
The objective of this grant is to increase publishing of quality literature in other Nordic languages. Since the grant is established in the national literature centres and their national and international networks, it can contribute to a wider discussion on translated literature. Applications for the grant can be submitted by professional publishing houses in the Nordic countries with a developed plan for distribution of the translation in question. Publishing houses applying for grants must have documented quality publications and professional distribution channels. Translators and authors cannot apply for grants for translation or production support.
The grant applies to translation of prose fiction, poetry, picture books, comics and graphic novels for adults, children and young adults; non-fiction in the area of general culture; essays; and drama for publication in book form. The support scheme does not apply to translation of specialised scholarly works, reference books, study materials, textbooks, Festschrifts, homage volumes, publishing of sheet music, yearbooks, books of local interest, exhibition catalogues, hobby books, craft books, handbooks, cookbooks, and travel guides.
Grants may be requested for translation costs and/or production costs. A maximum sum of SEK 20,000 can be granted as production support. Grants for production costs may be awarded for four-colour illustrated books or for books that are considered to be particularly costly to publish in translation for other reasons, such as the production costs of poetry, comics and graphic novels. The grant cannot cover copyright costs.
Regardless of genre, the work must have a high linguistic and literary quality. The grant is intended to promote Swedish contemporary literature, but can also be awarded to classics. Introduction of authors in new languages, as well as literature for children and young adults are prioritised. The lesser languages are prioritised as well, although there are no yearly percentages or quotas.
When the grant committee assesses applications, their primary starting point is the literary quality of the work in question. Members assess the narrative structure of the work, its linguistic and artistic expression, as well as the text’s ability to, regardless of genre, engage the reader. With respect to illustrated works, the interaction between text and illustrations is also assessed. For non-fiction, the factual presentation is also assessed. In addition to literary quality, the Swedish Arts Council also considers the quality of the application, according to the following aspects: the applicant’s arguments for why the book shall be translated into the language in question, how the applicant plans to ensure that the translation reaches its audience, and the translator’s qualifications. The deadline for applications is 1 September 2025.
For more information, visit Swedish Arts Council.