General
The Goldschmidt Programme for German- and French-speaking literary translators
More than 200 literary translators from Germany, France and Switzerland took part and benefitted from the programme.
On Thursday, 10 December (2 - 3.35 pm CET) we invite you to celebrate the 20th anniversary digitally with us! Meet alumni, learn more about their experiences and expand your network. Participation in the Zoom meeting is free of charge, registration and participation is possible here.
You can look forward to two sessions:
- 2 - 2.45 pm CET: „From the lives of young literary translators“
with Anabelle Assaf, André Hansen and Andreas Jandl
Moderation: Malu Schrader
- 2.50 - 3.35 pm CET: „How translating becomes a dream job“
with Claudia Hamm and Patricia Klobusiczky
Moderation: Malu Schrader
We look forward to seeing you!
2.5 hours of networking as well as sharing and discussing experiences
Aus dem Leben junger Literaturübersetzer*innen
Live DEThis session takes place in Zoom only.
Join us here!Wie das Übersetzen zum Traumjob wird
Live DEThis session takes place in Zoom only.
Join us here!Our alumni who will share their experiences with us
The next Goldschmidt programme edition will take place in early 2021.
Application deadline for the 2021 edition is 30 September 2020.
The Georges-Arthur Goldschmidt Programme gives up-and-coming German- and French-speaking translators the chance to get to know publishing companies. This bursary programme is organised jointly by Frankfurter Buchmesse, the Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW), the society for promoting French literature abroad (BIEF) and Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council. Participants receive a monthly grant of 900 EUR.
2019 participants of the Goldschmidt Programme
What to expect from the Goldschmidt Programme:
This is what former participants say about the programme
Translation is a skill you have to acquire. When working in teams of two or at the plenum in Wannsee and Arles, we saw our texts improve. Translation is an important profession – you discover this when you come into contact with publishers from France and Germany. The Goldschmidt programme is a first small step towards becoming a literary translator. But it's an important one.
Spending two months surrounded by interested, appreciative, talented and committed people who share their own passion for language and literature is one of the most enriching experiences of my life.
Your translation project
Applicants must choose a French work as their compulsory translation project and focus during workshops. The aim of the Goldschmidt Programme is to promote a literary exchange between German-speaking and French-speaking countries. The following aspects must therefore be taken into account when selecting the project:
The conditions
- The translation rights have not yet been sold in Germany.
- The selected author does not yet have a permanent German translator.
- The work has been published by a professional French-language publisher.
- The selected work should either have been released in the current year or be a rediscovery.
FAQ
Who can apply?
Young literary translators from France, Germany and Switzerland.
What are the conditions for participation?
- Age limit: 30 years old (in exceptional cases: 35)
- University degree and/or a literary translation already published
- Availability for the entire duration of the programme (January to March)
- Participants are responsible for obtaining adequate insurance for the duration of the programme.
How can I apply for the Goldschmidt Programme? Which texts must be submitted?
- CV
- Cover letter
- Description of the translation project (approx. one page)
- Short sample translation together with the relevant original text (maximum 5 pages)
- If applicable, extract from an already published literary translation from French, together with the relevant original text. Translations from languages other than French cannot be taken into consideration.
- The selected title should either be published during the current year or be a rediscovery
Please apply until 30 September by using the online application form.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline for applications is 30 September 2020.
Leading lights behind the programme

Isabelle Liber
Nachdem sie Linguistik studiert, einen Studiengang deutscher und französischer Sprache und Literatur in Strasbourg und einen Master Verlagswesen an der Sorbonne abgeschlossen hatte, veröffentlichte Isabelle Liber 2002 ihre erste Übersetzung aus dem Deutschen bei Actes Sud. 2005 nahm sie selbst an dem Goldschmidt Programm teil.
Nachdem sie Linguistik studiert, einen Studiengang deutscher und französischer Sprache und Literatur in Strasbourg und einen Master Verlagswesen an der Sorbonne abgeschlossen hatte, veröffentlichte Isabelle Liber 2002 ihre erste Übersetzung aus dem Deutschen bei Actes Sud. 2005 nahm sie selbst an dem Goldschmidt Programm teil.
Im Verlauf der Zeit ist ihre kleine „persönliche Bibliothek“ an Übersetzungen weiter gewachsen: Romane, Kurzgeschichten, Kunstbücher, Sachbücher, Jugendbücher … . Und viel will sie noch entdecken!

Georges-Arthur Goldschmidt
The scholarship programme is organised jointly by Frankfurter Buchmesse, the Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW), the society for promoting French literature abroad (BIEF) and Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council.
The scholarship programme is organised jointly by Frankfurter Buchmesse, the Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW), the society for promoting French literature abroad (BIEF) and Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council.
Georges-Arthur Goldschmidt has been a patron of the German-French literary translation programme named after him since 2007. Born on 2 May 1928 in Reinbek near Hamburg, he and his older brother were taken into exile in France in 1938 to escape Nazi persecution. Goldschmidt became a French citizen and French became his language. It wasn’t long before he made a name for himself as a translator of German literature. In addition to his work as a translator, Goldschmidt writes numerous essays and autobiographical pieces.
We support young professionals and high potentials in many ways
Benefit from the renowned programme
If you want to expand your network and expand your expertise, you should apply for the renowned Goldschmidt Programme.
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