This fellowship is a four-week residency at Château de Lavigny, run by the Fondation Ledig-Rowohlt and funded by Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council.
It hosts literary translators who are under contract to translate a book by a living Swiss author, in a dedicated autumn session of its own.
Benefits & funding
- Four weeks of lodging at the château.
- A CHF 1,400 stipend (per diem) plus a fixed CHF 300 for travel.
- One dinner a week hosted by the management; residents otherwise cook for themselves.
Eligibility
- Open to any nationality.
- Fluent spoken English or French is required.
- Experienced literary translators with at least one published book (not self-published).
- A confirmed project to translate a work by a living Swiss author, with a signed publisher’s contract for it.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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Application process
- 1Complete the 2027 Château de Lavigny form, naming the Pro Helvetia translator fellowship, with the documents it lists and a copy of the signed publishing contract.
- 2Get one recommendation letter from a published writer, critic, publisher or translator about your Lavigny project.
- 3Email everything in English or French as one PDF to contact@chateaudelavigny.ch by 31 January 2027.
Program timeline
Application deadline
31 January 2027
21 September 2027
Residency starts (one form version says 14 September)
18 October 2027
Residency ends (that version says 11 October)