As well as the information service provided by its online magazine, Litrix.de also offers support for translation projects within the context of its focus on specific countries and regions. This support is available exclusively for books that are being showcased in the language of the relevant ‘special focus’ country or region, and serves to complement the Goethe-Institut’s existing support programmes in regions where greater intercultural dialogue is considered especially important. In recent cycles of the scheme Litrix.de has supported translations of contemporary German literature into Arabic and Chinese; with effect from 2007 support will be offered specifically to publishing houses in Brazil.

Targeted support of this kind is also an effective means of promoting German literature in those emerging markets that have recently begun to demonstrate a particular interest in it. The support scheme reduces the publishing risks that commonly inhibit translation projects in the various target countries, particularly in respect of contemporary literature, and it creates a positive incentive for literary transfer.

Funding will be provided for the actual translation of the work concerned. It is a prerequisite of any funding that there be formal contracts between the foreign licensee and both the German licensor and the translator of the work. Decisions on the award of translation grants are made by the relevant expert jury. Grant monies are only disbursed once the published translation has been formally submitted.

Applications must include the following documentation:

1. . Calculation of costs, including number of copies to be printed

2. Licensing contract

3. Translation contract

4. Rationale of the project (position of the work within the publisher’s profile, target group aimed at, etc.)

Grants are subject to the following conditions:

• At the point when a grant-offer is made the book in question must be neither already published nor in the process of being published.
• The translation must be made directly from the original German.
  
  

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Conditions for the Award of Translation Funding by Litrix.de
Application for Translation Funding

The Goethe-Institut Promotion Program for "translations of German books into a foreign language" offers support to foreign publishers for publishing German literature. This program enables a non-German speaking readership access to important scientific articles, ambitious works of fiction, books for children and young people, and non-fiction books. The program serves cultural policy objectives and is an important instrument of foreign cultural and educational policy.

If the grant is approved, the Goethe-Institut reimburses the foreign publisher for a portion of the translation costs, once the foreign language edition has been released. We do not provide funds for the entire cost of translation, nor do we finance printing or editorial costs.

In the nearly 35 years since the program was initiated, we have financially supported the translation of about 5,000 books in 45 languages.

The following subjects are given priority for grants:

• Democracy, rule of law and civil society;
• Current global and regional issues;
• The cultural dimension of European integration process;
• Recent German history;
• Outstanding works of contemporary German literature

We also consider:

• Classical German literature;
• Contemporary drama;
• High-quality children's and youth literature

Only foreign publishers are eligible to apply.

Contacts in Germany:
Clemens-Peter Haase
Goethe-Institut e. V.
Head of Department 33- Literature and Translation Promotion
Tel.: +49 89 15921-504
Fax: +49 89 15921-237
haase@goethe.de

Andreas Schmohl
Department 33 - Literature and Translation Promotion
Goethe-Institut e. V, Head Office Munich
Dachauerstr. 122
80637 Munich
Tel.: +49 89 15921-852
Fax: +49 89 15921-237
schmohl@goethe.de

Goethe-Translation Grant Requirements

Goethe Translation Grant Application

Pro Helvetia can provide grants for translations of

• works of fiction by Swiss authors
• books on cultural subjects pertaining to Switzerland.

Scholarly or scientific studies and spezialized textbooks cannot be subsidized.
Grants are limited to the actual costs of translation. Additional printing costs are not subsidized.
Applications must be submitted by the publisher of the translation. Works that are in print or have already appeared cannot be subsidized.
The following documentation is required:

• if possible, a completed application form - otherwise a detailed statement of cost
• a copy of the licensing agreement with the copyright owner
• a copy of the contract with the translator
• a short biography of the translator
• the original text
• the complete translation or an at least representative part of it.

Grants are disbursed as soon as Pro Helvetia receives its specimen copies.

Forms and information sheets