The National Centre for Writing runs this annual programme for emerging literary translators working into English. Each selected translator works with an experienced mentor on a practical literary translation project from October 2026 to March 2027. The 2026/27 round offers nine language or project strands and combines one-to-one mentoring, online industry events, professional exposure and activities connected with London Book Fair.
Benefits & funding
- Six months of personal mentoring, with at least four meetings held in person, online or by phone as agreed by the pair.
- An £800 stipend for mentorship-related expenses.
- A further £300 toward London Book Fair expenses if the mentee attends; the Dutch, Norwegian, Literature from Taiwan and Languages of India strands include additional travel uplifts whose amounts are not published.
- Tailored online industry events, a feature at International Translation Day, London Book Fair and Assembly of Literary Translators opportunities, a digital showcase and anthology publication.
- One year of Society of Authors/Translators Association membership.
- There is no application or participation fee.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be emerging translators working into English and must have no more than one published or contracted full-length work of literary translation. Commercial translation experience is permitted.
- English need not be the applicant’s first language, and applicants may generally live anywhere in the world.
- Applicants must apply to one of the 2026/27 strands: Danish, Dutch, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Swiss German, Literature from Taiwan or Languages of India. Only one strand and one book proposal may be submitted.
- The Languages of India strand is restricted to translators based in India who translate from an Indian language into English, have not received a Charles Wallace India Trust Fellowship in the five years before 1 October 2026, and can travel to the UK for London Book Fair.
- Literature from Taiwan projects must concern an eligible Taiwan-connected author and a book published in Taiwan; the translator may be based anywhere. The Swiss German strand has project-specific author and language criteria.
- MA and MFA translation students may apply, though priority may go to applicants without comparable guidance through a degree programme. No degree, age, gender or nationality requirement is stated.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Choose one eligible language or project strand.
- 2Prepare a covering letter, a translation-focused CV, a one-page sample book proposal, a sample translation of up to 2,000 words of prose or 100 lines of poetry or drama, and the corresponding source text.
- 3Complete the equality, diversity and inclusion survey in the application form.
- 4Upload the materials through the linked Google Form by 11.59pm BST on 24 August 2026; applicants needing an accessible alternative may contact the programme by email.
- 5Do not use artificial intelligence for any part of the application or sample translation, as this makes the application ineligible.
Program timeline
Application deadline
24 August 2026, 11.59pm BST
Successful applicants informed
14 September 2026
Mentees announced at International Translation Day
30 September 2026
Mentorship begins
1 October 2026
First online Industry Weekend
19–21 November 2026
Second online Industry Weekend
14–15 January 2027
Anthology contribution deadline
25 January 2027
Online showcase recording
Early February 2027
Assembly of Literary Translators
15 March 2027
London Book Fair
16–18 March 2027
Digital showcase and anthology launch
30 March 2027