Deadline: 15-Sep-2026
The American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prizes recognize exceptional English translations of poetry, fiction, drama, and literary prose originally written by 20th- and 21st-century Nordic authors. The programme offers five annual translation awards, including prizes of up to USD 5,000, publication opportunities in Scandinavian Review, and recognition through commemorative bronze medallions.
About the American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prizes
The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) Translation Prizes support and celebrate translators who bring Nordic literature to English-speaking audiences.
The awards recognize high-quality translations of literary works originally written in Nordic languages, including:
- Poetry
- Fiction
- Drama
- Literary prose
The programme highlights the importance of literary translation in promoting cultural exchange between Nordic countries and English-speaking readers.
The prizes are awarded annually to translators whose work demonstrates exceptional literary skill, accuracy, and creativity.
Purpose of the Translation Prizes
The awards aim to:
- Recognize excellence in literary translation.
- Support translators working with Nordic literature.
- Promote Nordic authors internationally.
- Encourage the translation of contemporary and modern Nordic works.
- Expand access to Nordic literary traditions.
- Strengthen cultural connections through literature.
Available Translation Prizes
The programme includes five separate translation awards.
Nadia Christensen Prize
The Nadia Christensen Prize recognizes outstanding translations of Nordic literature into English.
Award benefits include:
- USD 5,000 prize
- Publication of an excerpt in Scandinavian Review
- Commemorative bronze medallion
The prize supports translators producing exceptional literary translations.
Leif and Inger Sjöberg Prize
The Leif and Inger Sjöberg Prize supports emerging translators who have not previously published literary translations from a Nordic language.
Award benefits include:
- USD 2,000 prize
- Publication of an excerpt in Scandinavian Review
- Commemorative bronze medallion
This prize is designed to encourage new translators entering the literary translation field.
Wigeland Prize
The Wigeland Prize recognizes outstanding translations from Norwegian.
Award benefits include:
- USD 2,000 prize
- Publication of an excerpt in Scandinavian Review
- Commemorative bronze medallion
Eligibility requirement:
- Applicants must be residents of Norway.
- The translation must be from Norwegian.
Inger and Jens Bruun Translation Prize
The Inger and Jens Bruun Translation Prize recognizes excellence in Danish literary translation.
Award benefits include:
- USD 2,000 prize
- Publication of an excerpt in Scandinavian Review
- Commemorative bronze medallion
The prize supports translators working with Danish literature.
Turið Sigurðardóttir Translation Prize
The Turið Sigurðardóttir Translation Prize recognizes translations from Faroese or Icelandic literature into English.
Award benefits include:
- USD 2,000 prize
- Publication of an excerpt in Scandinavian Review
- Commemorative bronze medallion
The prize highlights literary works from Faroese and Icelandic traditions.
Eligible Literary Works
Eligible translations must be:
- Written originally in a Nordic language.
- Translated into English.
- Created from works by 20th- or 21st-century Nordic authors.
- In one of the following categories:
- Poetry
- Fiction
- Drama
- Literary prose
The translation must represent the work of a single author.
The submission does not need to come from only one published work, but all included translations must be by the same author.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include literary translators who submit a high-quality English translation of eligible Nordic literature.
Applicants must meet specific requirements depending on the prize category.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Submit an English translation of a Nordic literary work.
- Translate from an original Nordic language.
- Provide a complete manuscript following submission requirements.
- Submit only one entry.
Additional Requirements for Specific Prizes
Wigeland Prize applicants must:
- Be residents of Norway.
- Translate from Norwegian.
Leif and Inger Sjöberg Prize applicants must:
- Be emerging translators.
- Have no previously published literary translations from Nordic languages.
Eligible Nordic Languages
The competition supports translations from Nordic literary languages, including:
- Danish
- Norwegian
- Swedish
- Icelandic
- Faroese
- Other recognized Nordic languages
The translation must accurately represent the original literary work.
Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit an online application containing:
- Translator CV.
- Brief description of the original author.
- Explanation of the significance of the original work.
- Translation manuscript.
Manuscript Requirements
Translation manuscripts must follow specific formatting rules.
Prose Submissions
Requirements:
- Length: 25–50 double-spaced pages
- Pages must be numbered.
- Manuscript must include:
- Title page
- Table of contents
Poetry Submissions
Requirements:
- Length: 15–25 pages
- Pages must be numbered.
- Manuscript must include:
- Title page
- Table of contents
Important Manuscript Rules
Applicants must ensure that:
- The translator’s name does not appear anywhere in the translation manuscript.
- The manuscript does not include identifying information.
- The required formatting is followed.
Submissions displaying the translator’s name in the manuscript will be disqualified.
Application Restrictions
Applicants should note:
- Only one entry may be submitted per applicant.
- The same translation cannot be entered into more than two competitions.
- A translator may receive the Translation Prize a maximum of three times.
How to Apply
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Select an eligible Nordic literary work.
- Prepare an English translation manuscript.
- Confirm eligibility for the chosen prize category.
- Prepare a translator CV.
- Write a description of the original author and literary significance.
- Format the manuscript according to requirements.
- Remove the translator’s name from the manuscript.
- Submit the complete application online.
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve your submission:
- Choose a work with strong literary significance.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the original language and culture.
- Maintain literary quality while preserving meaning.
- Provide clear background information about the author.
- Follow manuscript formatting requirements carefully.
- Avoid including personal identification in the manuscript.
- Submit a polished and professionally edited translation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors:
- Including the translator’s name inside the manuscript.
- Submitting more than one entry.
- Entering the same translation into too many competitions.
- Exceeding or falling below page requirements.
- Submitting translations that are not from Nordic languages.
- Choosing works outside the eligible publication period.
- Providing incomplete application materials.
- Ignoring formatting instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prizes?
They are annual awards recognizing outstanding English translations of poetry, fiction, drama, and literary prose originally written by Nordic authors.
How many translation prizes are awarded?
The programme awards five prizes:
- Nadia Christensen Prize
- Leif and Inger Sjöberg Prize
- Wigeland Prize
- Inger and Jens Bruun Translation Prize
- Turið Sigurðardóttir Translation Prize
What is the highest award amount available?
The Nadia Christensen Prize provides the highest award amount of USD 5,000.
Who can apply?
Literary translators submitting outstanding English translations of eligible Nordic literary works can apply.
Can translators submit multiple entries?
No. Applicants may submit only one entry. The same translation cannot be entered into more than two competitions.
What languages are eligible?
Translations must originate from Nordic languages, including languages such as Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Faroese.
Can a translator win more than once?
Yes, but a translator may receive the Translation Prize no more than three times.
Conclusion
The American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prizes 2026 provide important recognition and financial support for translators bringing Nordic literature to global audiences. With awards of up to USD 5,000, publication opportunities, and international recognition, the programme celebrates translators who preserve literary voices, promote cultural exchange, and expand access to exceptional Nordic poetry, fiction, drama, and prose in English.
For more information, visit ASF.