Founded in 2003, Words Without Borders fosters cultural understanding through the translation, publication, and promotion of the finest contemporary international literature. Our publications and programs open doors for readers of English around the world to the multiplicity of viewpoints, richness of experience, and literary perspective on world events offered by writers in other languages. We seek to connect international writers to the general public, to students and educators, and to print and other media and to serve as a primary online location for a global literary conversation.
Words Without Borders announces the third annual Momentum Grant for Early-Career Translators, judged by Julia Sanches.
The grant is intended to facilitate the completion of a substantial sample of a book-length work of prose translation suitable for submission to English-language publishers, and will be awarded to an individual translator who has not yet received a book-length contract for translation work into English. We particularly welcome submissions from translators from historically underrepresented cultures and backgrounds.
Submissions will be judged by translator Julia Sanches and the editors of Words Without Borders. An excerpt of the winning sample translation will be published in Words Without Borders, and the recipient will receive $3,000, funded by the Malecha Family Foundation.
Translators who have not published or received a contract for a book-length translation into English are eligible. Submitted projects may be from any original language but must not have already appeared in English translation. Though contemporary English is the target language, the emerging translator need not live in the United States.
Application materials
- a 500-word project description
- a 2,500-word translation sample and the corresponding section of the original text
- author bio, not to exceed 200 words
- translator bio, not to exceed 200 words
- a personal statement on the applicant’s trajectory as a translator and professional goals, not to exceed 300 word
- copyright information for the original text and correspondence from the copyright holder confirming that English-language rights to the book are available (unless the work is in the public domain)
Submissions will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. EST on February 28, 2025. The winner will be announced in July 2025.
FAQs
Who is eligible? Translators who have not published a book-length translation into English, and who are not under contract for a book-length translation into English, in any genre and in any part of the world, are eligible. Translators who have published book-length translations into other languages, but not into English, are eligible.
Who qualifies as “underrepresented”? Translators who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, LGBTQIA; non-native English speakers translating into English; translators who have neither received an MA or MFA or completed an equivalent type of training. Translators working from Indigenous, endangered, and other often-marginalized languages are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants may address these points in their personal statements if desired.
What genres are eligible? Literary fiction and nonfiction for a general trade audience are eligible. Scholarly works, graphic novels, poetry, and drama are not eligible.
What original languages are eligible? Original texts may be in any language.
Are retranslations eligible? Retranslations are not eligible.
May translators submit multiple projects? Translators are limited to one submission.
May projects have multiple translators? Projects may have up to two translators.
Must translators secure rights? No, but they must confirm that English-language rights are available. Submissions without confirmation of rights availability will not be considered.
May translators inquire about the status of their submissions? Due to the volume of submissions received, WWB is unable to answer queries. All applicants will be notified when the winner is selected.
When will the grant be awarded? The grant will be awarded upon announcement of the winner.
What will be required of the grant recipient? The recipient will be expected to complete the proposed sample translation (intended for submission to publishers) within one year. Upon completion, the recipient will deliver the full sample translation and a brief report on the effect of the grant to Words Without Borders.