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2024 Call for Applications: Albertine Translation Fund 

Books & Ideas

(c) Susan Q. Yin

By Villa Albertine

This call for applications has now concluded.  To apply for the second session of the 2024 cycle, click here.

 

 

 

 

Villa Albertine, in partnership with Albertine Foundation, is now accepting applications for the first session of the 2024 Albertine Translation Fund.  

Launched in 2022 by Villa Albertine, in partnership with Albertine Foundation (formerly known as FACE Foundation), The Albertine Translation Fund honors both translators and American publishers of English translations of works that have been published in France in the last 10 years.  

A committee of independent experts, including academics, translators, and publishers, selects works that epitomize the many facets of the vibrant French literary scene. Funds support books representing new trends in fiction, children’s literature, poetry, graphic novels, and important perspectives in non-fiction. 

Each book receives $2,000 to cover publishing costs as well as 50% of translation costs, which cannot exceed $5,000. 

The selection committee additionally chooses two Albertine Translation prize winners among the recipients each year – one in fiction and non-fiction.  The winners receive $5,000, which is allocated to the books’ translators. 

It should be noted that works that do not have an American publisher are eligible to be recipients of the Albertine Translation Fund provided that French publishers secure acquisition of rights contracts with American publishers for the English translations within a year of the announcement of the grant’s recipients.  

Works published in the US that benefit from the Albertine Translation Fund must feature the program’s logo on their cover and carry a mention of the program on the copyright page. 

 

Eligibility

To be considered for Albertine Translation funding, the book must have been published in France within the last 10 years.  

Authors, literary agents, translators, and French and American publishers may apply for the Albertine Translation program.  

Unpublished translations; works published in France in the past 10 years; or books whose acquisition of rights contracts are fully executed or are yet to be negotiated will be considered for the Fund.  

Some classic works might also be taken into consideration if their publication is part of a specific editorial project, e.g. a reissue of the complete work of an author, anniversary edition…). Please note that applicants will need to provide additional information about how this work fits into their editorial project for a classic work to qualify. 

Preference will be given to authors who have not previously been published in English. However, authors with past published works or translations in English may be considered if their project justifies it.  

Please note that only texts published after June 2024 will qualify. 

 

The selection committee will consider the following factors when evaluating works

Quality of the French book and its importance in contemporary French thought and creation. 

Innovative content and literary form  

Quality of the translation 

Promotion and marketing plan 

Publisher’s active involvement in the translation and publication of French authors 

Likelihood of reception in the American book market 

 

Application Materials 

In addition to filling out the application form on Albertine Foundation’s platform, please provide two physical copies of the book in French and one digital version of the original in French (see required documents below). 

Physical copies of the book should be mailed to: 

Books & Ideas Department 
Cultural Services of the French Embassy / Villa Albertine 
972 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10075, USA 

Please send a PDF version of the book to translation@villa-albertine.org 

Please note that only complete applications with physical copies and e-books will be considered. 

 

Required Documents

File types accepted: .doc /.docx /.pdf /.xls /.xlsx files. 
The maximum file size is 5mb, except for English and French excerpts (max. 10mb). 

For American publishers who have fully executed copies of Acquisition of Rights contracts: 

1 – Author’s biography / bibliography 
2 – Excerpt in English: 

  • A 10–12-page, double-spaced sample of the translation. 
  • The author of the translation sample must be the intended translator for the publication of this book. 
  • The sample translation should not mention the name of the translator. 

3 – Excerpt in French: The application must include a scanned version of the corresponding sample in French. 

4 – Translator’s biography: Please provide a few redacted lines, not a CV (400 characters max).  
5 – Translator/publisher’s contract: A signed copy of the contract between the translator and the American publisher. 
6 – Acquisition of rights contract: A signed copy of the contract between the French publisher and the American publisher. 
7 – Budget for the book (see sample provided) 
8 – Two physical copies of the book in French and one digital copy of the French edition.  

For authors, translators, literary agents, and French or American publishers that DO NOT currently have a fully executed contract with a French publisher: 

1 – Author’s biography / bibliography 
2 – Excerpt in English: A 10–12-page, double-spaced sample of the translation. 

  • The author of the translation sample must be the intended translator for the publication of this book. 
  • The sample translation should not mention the name of the translator. 

3 – Excerpt in French: The application must include a scanned version of the corresponding sample in French. 
4 – Translator’s biography: Please provide a few redacted lines, not a CV (400 characters).  
5 – A letter from the copyright holder stating that English-language rights to the book are available. 
6 – For prospective publishers only: Budget for the book (see sample provided) 

  • For titles without an American publisher, please provide this document as soon as a contract has been signed.  

7 – Two physical copies of the book in French and one digital copy of the French edition 

 

Timeline 

The 2024 Albertine Translation call for applications (session one) is now open. 

Application Deadline (session one): February 2, 2024.   

Recipients will be announced in June 2024 (session one) and December 2024 (session two). Please refer to the FAQs for further information.  

 

Contact

Laure Poupard
Program Officer, Books & Ideas 
laure.poupard@villa-albertine.org 

In partnership with

Florence Gould Foundation

The Florence Gould Foundation is devoted to French-American exchange and friendship. It has provided critical and longstanding support to enable the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and its partner FACE Foundation to foster French-American exchange across disciplines and make the very best of French and francophone culture accessible to diverse communities across the United States. The Florence Gould Writers’ Residency at Villa Albertine will create exceptional and enduring opportunities for literary creation for the most promising and innovative French and Francophone authors.

Albertine Foundation

Previously known as FACE Foundation, Albertine Foundation is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting French-American relations through innovative cultural and educational projects. In close partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States and its arts institution Villa Albertine, Albertine Foundation promotes artistic, literary, and educational exchange and collaboration between creative professionals from both countries thanks to corporate, foundation, and individual support.

Follow Albertine Foundation on InstagramFacebook, and LinkedIn.

Learn more

Institut français

The Institut français is responsible for France’s international cultural program. Supervised by both the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and by the Ministry of Culture, it promotes French culture abroad through cultural exchange initiatives. Operating in a space where the arts, intellectual exchange, cultural and social innovation, and linguistic partnerships interact and intersect, it is also responsible for promoting the French language and the sharing of works, artists, and ideas all over the world. The Institut français is one of Villa Albertine’s main French partners.

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Van Cleef & Arpels

Founded at Paris’ 22 Place Vendôme in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels came into being following Estelle Arpels’ marriage to Alfred Van Cleef in 1895. With a blend of inventiveness and poetry, Van Cleef & Arpels perpetuates a highly distinctive style. Its selection of exceptional gems that instill an emotion, and the savoir-faire of its craftsmen, have given birth to enchanting jewelry and watchmaking collections. Whether inspired by nature, couture, dance or imaginary worlds, the Maison opens the gate to a timeless universe of beauty and harmony. Van Cleef & Arpels’ constant commitment to creation also finds expression in its various activities as a partner and patron in the cultural field. Reflecting the Maison’s attachment to values of transmission and sharing, these initiatives take place in sectors that it holds dear: they include heritage protection, fine and decorative arts, design, dance and poetry. 

 

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