Request for Applications: Translation Funding Programme

The Goethe-Institut Translation Funding Programme supports professional publishers worldwide in translating contemporary German-language literature and selected non-fiction into other languages. Grants typically cover 40–60% of eligible translation costs, up to €8,000 per book, helping German-language authors reach international readers.

What Is the Translation Funding Programme?

The Goethe-Institut Translation Funding Programme promotes the international distribution of contemporary German-language literature.

The programme provides financial assistance to professional publishers that want to translate eligible works originally published in German-speaking countries into another language.

The initiative is particularly interested in contemporary German-language authors and works from regions or languages where German literature has previously received limited translation exposure.

What Types of Books Are Eligible?

The programme supports a broad range of literary and socially relevant works.

Eligible categories include:

• Literary fiction
• Poetry
• Picture books
• Comics and graphic novels
• Children’s literature
• Young adult literature
• Non-fiction
• Essays addressing current social issues
• Humanities and social sciences works intended for a general readership

Anthologies and individually selected texts may also be considered if the applicant provides the additional documentation required by the programme.

What Funding Is Available?

The grant reimburses a portion of the translation costs after publication.

Funding generally covers:

• 40–60% of translation costs
• Up to €8,000 per book

The publisher must initially pay the translator’s full fee. Reimbursement is then processed according to the terms of the funding agreement.

What Costs Are Not Covered?

The grant does not cover:

• Licensing costs
• Printing costs
• Editorial costs

Applicants should therefore ensure that these expenses are financed separately.

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is intended for international professional publishers.

Applicants should:

• Be a professional publishing company or publisher
• Have an established record of publishing quality literature
• Have professional distribution channels
• Intend to publish a translation of an eligible German-language work
• Translate directly from the original German text

Authors and translators cannot apply directly.

The publisher is responsible for submitting the application.

Translation Requirements

The work must be translated from the original German text.

This means that translations made from an intermediary language rather than the original German version are not eligible.

Another important requirement is that the book must not go to print before the funding agreement has been signed.

Publishers should therefore plan their publication schedule carefully and allow sufficient time for the funding process.

Which Works Are Not Eligible?

Several types of publications are excluded from funding.

These include:

• Light fiction
• Crime novels
• Specialist academic or scholarly works
• Textbooks
• Theatre texts
• Hobby books

The programme focuses on literary, cultural, socially relevant, and generally accessible works rather than specialist or commercial categories that fall outside its objectives.

Why It Matters

Translation funding can reduce one of the major barriers to the international circulation of German-language literature: the cost of professional translation.

By supporting publishers with part of these costs, the programme helps:

• Introduce German-language authors to new audiences
• Increase international literary exchange
• Encourage translation into underrepresented languages
• Promote contemporary German literature abroad
• Make socially relevant German-language works accessible internationally
• Strengthen professional relationships between publishers and translators

The programme is especially valuable for publishers seeking to introduce German-language works into markets where such literature has historically had limited exposure.

How to Apply

Step 1: Select an Eligible German-Language Work

Identify a work originally published in German that fits the programme’s eligible genres and themes.

Check that the book is not within one of the excluded categories.

Step 2: Confirm Translation Rights

The publisher should ensure that the necessary rights and permissions are available for the proposed translation and publication.

Step 3: Select a Professional Translator

Choose a qualified translator who will work directly from the original German text.

The translator’s full fee must be paid by the publisher before reimbursement of the eligible translation costs.

Step 4: Prepare the Publication Plan

Develop a clear plan covering:

• Translation
• Publication
• Distribution
• Target readership
• Expected publication date

Importantly, the book must not be printed before the funding agreement is signed.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

Calculate the full translation cost and determine the amount of funding requested.

Remember that the programme generally reimburses 40–60% of translation costs, subject to the maximum grant of €8,000 per book.

Step 6: Submit the Application

The publisher, rather than the author or translator, should submit the application and required supporting materials according to the Goethe-Institut’s application procedure.

Step 7: Publish and Receive Reimbursement

Once the funding agreement is in place, the publisher can proceed with the translation and publication according to the approved conditions.

Eligible translation costs are reimbursed after publication.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Choose a clearly eligible work: Check both the genre and subject matter.
• Demonstrate publishing experience: Show your track record in quality literature and professional distribution.
• Target an appropriate language market: Explain why the translation will reach new international readers.
• Use a qualified translator: Ensure the translation is made directly from German.
• Prepare an accurate translation budget: Clearly distinguish translation costs from excluded expenses.
• Plan the publication timeline carefully: Do not print the book before signing the funding agreement.
• Consider underrepresented markets: The programme particularly values international dissemination where German literature has previously had limited translation exposure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Publishers should avoid:

• Applying as an individual author or translator.
• Translating from a language other than the original German.
• Printing the book before the funding agreement is signed.
• Requesting funding for licensing, printing, or editorial expenses.
• Selecting an excluded genre such as a textbook or crime novel.
• Failing to demonstrate professional publishing and distribution capacity.
• Assuming the grant pays the translator’s fee upfront.
• Treating the €8,000 maximum as a guaranteed award rather than the funding ceiling.

Key Programme Details

• Programme: Goethe-Institut Translation Funding Programme
• Purpose: International translation and dissemination of German-language works
• Eligible applicants: Professional international publishers
• Funding: Typically 40–60% of translation costs
• Maximum: €8,000 per book
• Payment: Reimbursement after publication
• Translation language: Must be translated from the original German
• Authors: Cannot apply directly
• Translators: Cannot apply directly
• Excluded costs: Licensing, printing, and editorial costs
• Publication restriction: Work must not go to print before the funding agreement is signed
• Eligible works: Contemporary fiction, poetry, children’s and young adult literature, picture books, comics, graphic novels, selected non-fiction, essays, and general-interest humanities/social science works

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Goethe-Institut Translation Funding Programme?

International professional publishers with a proven record of publishing quality literature and professional distribution channels can apply. Authors and translators cannot apply directly.

How much funding can a publisher receive?

The programme generally reimburses 40–60% of eligible translation costs, up to a maximum of €8,000 per book.

Does the grant cover the translator’s full fee?

The publisher must pay the translator’s full fee before reimbursement. The grant subsequently reimburses the eligible portion of the translation costs.

Can the grant pay for printing or editorial costs?

No. Licensing, printing, and editorial costs are not covered by the translation grant.

Can any German-language book be translated with this funding?

No. The work must fall within an eligible category. Excluded examples include light fiction, crime novels, specialist scholarly works, textbooks, theatre texts, and hobby books.

Can a publisher translate a book from an English translation?

No. The translation must be made directly from the original German text.

Can the book be printed before the funding decision?

No. The work must not go to print before the funding agreement has been signed.

Conclusion

The Goethe-Institut Translation Funding Programme helps professional publishers bring contemporary German-language literature and relevant non-fiction to readers around the world. With reimbursement of 40–60% of eligible translation costs up to €8,000 per book, the programme offers valuable support for publishers seeking to expand international access to German-language writing, particularly in languages and markets where German literature has been less widely translated.