The Goldschmidt Programme for German- and French-speaking literary translators

The Goldschmidt program 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:

Seminars and Workshops

During 6 weeks (3 weeks in Berlin and 3 weeks in France) participants work on their translation projects in dedicated workshops, guided by two renowned literary translators. The participants also learn how to present their translation projects to publishers.

Networking

The programme encourages a lively exchange among the participants, publishers and editors by organising visits to publishing houses in Germany, France and Switzerland.

Übersetzungsprojekt

Während des Workshops arbeiten die Teilnehmer an einem französischsprachigen Titel als Übersetzungsprojekt. Weitere Informationen zum Übersetzungsprojekt finden Sie hier.

Stipendium

Die Teilnehmer erhalten ein monatliches Stipendium von 900 Euro. Die Reisekosten zu den verschiedenen Programmorten werden teilweise übernommen.

This is what former participants say about the programme

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.

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.

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