For a limited time, FILI guarantees that translation grants awarded to foreign publishers active in French-speaking and German-speaking Europe will cover 70 per cent of the translator’s fee, up to a maximum of €8,000. Grants are awarded for translating works of fiction and general non-fiction, children’s and young adult (YA) books, and comics and graphic novels from the Finnish, Finland-Swedish and Sámi languages. Grants are available only for works originally published in Finland.
The guarantee applies to the three application rounds of 2025, as long as the annual funds allocated for translation grants last. FILI’s advisory board decides on translation grants.In order to be awarded a grant, the application must meet the criteria laid out in the application instructions and FILI’s advisory board must approve the application when it meets to make grant decisions.
Grants are also available for printing costs for comics and graphic novels and for children’s picture books. The publisher must simultaneously apply for a translation grant from FILI. On average, FILI printing grants cover about a quarter of printing costs; the maximum printing grant amount is EUR 1000.
Publishers can apply for a grant to publish Finnish literature in translation if they have acquired translation rights for the work and signed an agreement with a translator. Applications are submitted via an online form.
Literary magazines can apply for grant funding to support the translation of texts for themed issues presenting Finnish literature.
Grants are paid to the publisher after publication of the translated book. The grant is valid for 24 months from the date the grant was awarded. If a publisher also receives a translation grant from another source, that will affect the amount of the grant awarded by FILI. For example, books awarded grants under the EU’s Creative Europe programme are not eligible for grants from FILI.
The published book must contain an acknowledgement of the receipt of a grant from FILI and the FILI logo. FILI’s support should be mentioned in all your communications about the book. For example, on social media you can use tags #FILI and #filigrants. Books must not be printed before grant decisions are made, because the book must include an acknowledgement of the grant.
Please note: the translator’s name must be mentioned in the book and media communications.
Applications must include
- signed agreement with the translator
- the translator’s CV/résumé or a link to the translator’s profile on Kääntöpiiri (kaantopiiri.fi), stating his/her language skills, education and relevant previous translations
- a book printing price quote (for printing grant applications for comics/graphic novels or children’s picture books)
