Finnish Literature into Other Languages

Applicants may request grants to cover translation expenses for works which have been published in Finland and translated directly from Finnish, Swedish or Sámi into other languages. Publishers wishing to apply for a grant to cover the costs of translating Finnish and Finland-Swedish literature into Nordic languages are asked to refer to the section Finnish Literature into Nordic Literature. Grants will not be awarded retroactively for previously published translations.

Prose, poetry, literature for children and young people, drama, comics, anthologies, magazines and non-fiction are all eligible to apply for funding. Translation grants are not applicable to scientific or academic publications, dissertations, textbooks or dictionaries.

The FILI advisory board decides on all funding allocation. Applicants will be notified of grant decisions in writing within two months after the end of the application period. Grant awards remain valid for 24 months.

Grant applicants

Foreign publishing houses and literary magazines may apply for grants to cover translation costs. Grants will be awarded in amounts up to but not exceeding the agreed translator's fee. If the publisher has already paid the translator’s fee, the translation grant will be paid directly to the publisher.

For translation grants, Nordic publishers are advised to apply primarily from the programme Finnish literature into Nordic languages.

Translation grants are awarded with the stipulation that the translator has professional experience. If the translator is a Finn, an expert whose native language is the target language must be consulted throughout the translation process.

Application period

The annual deadlines for online grant applications are 1st April and 1st November each year. Applications and all relevant attachments must arrive at FILI by the final application deadline. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required attachments

The application must be accompanied by

• a copy of the signed contract between the foreign publisher and the Finnish copyright holder

• a copy of the signed contract between the foreign publisher and the translator

• First-time applicants are also asked to submit the translator’s CV and general information on the publishing house.

All attachments must arrive at FILI by the deadline.

Grant terms

Translation grants will be paid when the publisher has delivered five copies of the finished publication to FILI. Before grants can be paid, the recipient must also sign and return the contract sent out by FILI; this is required by Finnish laws concerning state subsidies.

The translated book must include mention of the grant awarded by FILI.