The Albertine Translation Fund and Prize 2026 (Session One)
Books & Ideas
Apply by February 1 for the latest cycle of the Albertine Translation Fund and Prize.
This program aims to promote French and Francophone literature and to encourage English translations of French books in all categories: fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, comics, and poetry.
Learn more about the program below and apply by February 1, 2026.
In 2022, Villa Albertine’s Books & Ideas department and Albertine Foundation launched the Albertine Translation program, an expanded and updated version of the former French Voices program.
Thanks to the support of the Florence Gould Foundation, this initiative rewards high-quality English translations of French works, recognizing both the original text and the translation.
A committee of independent experts—academics, translators, booksellers, and publishing consultants—selects titles that reflect the diversity and vitality of contemporary French literature.
Each selected book receives:
- $2,000 to support publication costs
- Up to $5,000 (50% of translation costs)
- For a maximum of $7,000 per project
The program primarily supports titles published in France within the past 10 years. However, each funding cycle may include one grant for a classic work of French or Francophone literature—a title that has been previously overlooked or is in need of a new translation.
Titles without a U.S. publisher at the time of selection may still be eligible. In such cases, the French publisher has one year to secure a U.S. publishing contract. If no agreement is reached within that time, the grant is withdrawn.
Translators, French Publishers, and U.S. Publishers may apply. The English-language publisher must have an address in the U.S. to receive the grant. Publishers based solely in the UK, Canada or India, for example, are not eligible.
Books published in the U.S. with support from the fund must feature the Albertine Translation Fund logo on their cover or back cover, as well as a credit line on the copyright page (provided by Villa Albertine).
Please download the logo here : AI / EPS / JPG / PNG
Additionally, one Albertine Translation Prize is awarded each year, thanks to the generous support of Van Cleef & Arpels. The prize awards $5,000 to the translator.
In partnership with
Albertine Foundation
Albertine Foundation is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting French American relations through innovative cultural and educational programs.
In close partnership with Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, Albertine Foundation administers grant programs across diverse creative disciplines including visual and performing arts; cinema; and literature, while also supporting exploratory residencies for creative professionals and thinkers across the United States. Albertine Foundation also contributes to promoting French language learning in the United States and funds new opportunities for students, professors, and researchers in the spheres of secondary and higher education.
Albertine Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation by Internal Revenue Service determination. Contributions from corporate, foundation, and individuals are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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.
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.
Related content