The tide is turning, the Africa Institute Global Africa Translation Fellowship is leading the charge. For too long, African perspectives and voices have been marginalized in global literature and scholarship.
This prestigious fellowship provides support and resources for talented translators and scholars to bring African literature and scholarship into the spotlight, bridging linguistic and cultural divides and fostering greater understanding between African cultures and the rest of the world.
If you’re passionate about language, literature, and the power of translation to promote cross-cultural exchange, the Africa Institute Global Africa Translation Fellowship is a must-read!
Global Africa Translation Fellowship
The Africa Institute Global Africa Translation Fellowship application period for 2025 is now open. As part of its African Languages and Translation Program, The Africa Institute seeks submissions for the fourth cohort of the Global Africa Translation Fellowship in 2024.
The fellowship accepts proposals from the Global South for a grant of up to $5,000 to complete translations of works from the African continent and its diaspora into English or Arabic (additional languages are considered).
This is a non-residential fellowship that enables the recipient scholars to finish their work outside of The Africa Institute (Sharjah, UAE). The fellowship’s goal is to make essential books in African and African Diaspora studies more accessible to a global audience.
The fellowship gives funds ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the project’s quality and scope. Selected projects may include retranslations of classic books, previously untranslated works, poetry, prose, or critical theory collections. The project may be a work-in-progress or a new initiative that can be completed within the grant’s deadline.
Guidelines for Applying
Applications need to have the following:
- An academic résumé or CV that is two pages long and includes information about your school of higher learning, degree level attained, publications, and works you have contributed significantly to
- A two-page description outlining the translation that will be done during the fellowship time, together with an explanation of the significance of the work, a rationale for a retranslation (if any), and suggested completion dates. A new project that falls within the grant’s duration or a work-in-progress may be included.
- An example of the original text or texts and translation, 4-5 pages long, double-spaced.
- Please attach a copy of the copyright notice from the original text and a letter from the copyright holder confirming that English language rights to the work are accessible, if the work is not in the public domain. This will explain the work’s copyright status.
How Can I Apply for the Global Africa Translation Fellowship?
- Applications must be sent as a single PDF file with the following information: a statement, sample, copyright status (if applicable), and resume.
- The file should be named LASTNAME-FIRSTNAME.pdf, using the applicant’s name in this format. Email: [email protected] with the PDF attachment and use the same name in the subject line (LASTNAME-FIRSTNAME application).
- Visit the Africa Institute Global Africa Translation Fellowship for additional information.
Note: The application deadline is Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Conclusion
The Africa Institute Global Africa Translation Fellowship is a powerful force for change in the world of global literature and scholarship.
By elevating the voices of African authors and translators, this program is not only expanding the reach and impact of African literature but also challenging the traditional narratives that have long dominated the global stage.
The fellowship is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and beauty of African cultures, and a reminder that great literature knows no boundaries.
