Translation Grants for Foreign Publishers

As a foreign publisher you can apply for financial support for the publication in translation of a Dutch work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry, a graphic novel or a children’s book. Translation grants may also be made available to literary magazines and for digital-only publications.

Who can apply

Publishers

For what

Translation costs / production costs

Deadline

March 22, May 11, June 22, September 1, October 19 and November 23

Grant amount

Depends on the project, and capped at €10,000

Grant maximum

€833,338

For what?

Publishers can apply for a grant to fund translation for all genres and for production costs for high-quality illustrated children's and youth literature, graphic novels, and poetry.

How much?

The amount awarded depends on a number of factors. The requested sum must be consistent with the translator’s fee as established in the translation contract. In most cases the grant covers 70% of the requested amount, with the understanding that the remaining 30% will be paid to the translator by the publisher. In the case of books we regard as Dutch classics, the grant covers 100% of the translator’s fee. The grant amount is capped at €10,000. See ‘Subsidy Regulations’ under downloads for more information.

Conditions

The Dutch Foundation for Literature places particular emphasis on the quality of translations. Upon request, the Foundation can provide a List of Approved translators. If the Foundation is not acquainted with the selected translator, a sample translation may be requested to assess the quality of the work. Only translations of a high standard can be funded.
The original Dutch-language work by the Dutch author or illustrator must have been published by a recognised Dutch or Flemish publishing house.
The translation must be published by a foreign publishing house that can ensure good distribution and promotion of the book in its own country.
There must be a contractual agreement between the Dutch rights holder and the foreign publisher, granting translation rights to the latter, unless the * work is in the public domain.
There must be a contractual agreement between the foreign publisher and the translator of the work.
The work must be published within two years from the date of the letter of confirmation.
An acknowledgment must be printed in the translated publication, stating that the publication has been made possible with financial support from the Dutch Foundation for Literature. You can find examples of this in different languages as well as the logo of the Dutch Foundation for Literature under downloads.

Download Translation Grants for Foreign Publishers

Frequently Asked Questions

The Dutch Foundation for Literature may offer financial support to a publisher for a maximum of four titles per genre by the same author or illustrator. If the author or illustrator switches to a different publishing house, previously published titles do not count toward this limit: the number of titles by the same author/illustrator that may be eligible for funding is four per genre per publisher. In exceptional circumstances, financial support may be provided to a single publisher for more than the usual limit of four titles per genre by an author/illustrator. If you have any queries, please contact us before submitting your application.

The sum is based on the standard translation rate (in euro cents per Dutch word) in the relevant country, with a specified limit per country or region. This limit corresponds to the subsidy granted by the Dutch Foundation for Literature. Any amount exceeding this limit is the responsibility of the publisher. This limit should not be understood as a recommended rate; the publisher is, of course, encouraged to pay a higher amount. This applies to both prose and poetry.

The sum will be paid to the foreign publishing house upon publication of the translated book and the receipt of the agreed complimentary copies. The Dutch Foundation for Literature also requires the publisher’s bank statement confirming the translator’s payment as per the contract. Direct payments to the translator are allowed only for urgent reasons, in which case an additional written statement stating the reason and the translator’s bank details must be included with the initial application. Note that the beneficiary cannot be changed after grant approval. The total amount of the grant will be reduced proportionally if the fee paid to the translator is less then stated in the contract. Where the payment to the translator is given as an advance on royalties, the translation grant should be counted as a credit to the translator’s account.

Relevant links