2024 Call for Applications: Albertine Translation Fund
(c) Susan Q. Yin
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Unpublished translations; works published in France in the past 10 years; or books whose acquisition of rights contracts are fully executed or are yet to be negotiated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