Apply for the 2026 Global Africa Translation Fellowship – $5,000 Grant for Scholars & Translators

Application Deadline: April 17, 2025

The Africa Institute invites applications for the 2026 Global Africa Translation Fellowship, an esteemed initiative under its African Languages and Translation Program. Now in its fifth year, this fellowship provides an opportunity for scholars, translators, and researchers from the Global South to contribute to the accessibility and preservation of African and African Diaspora literature by translating significant works into English or Arabic. Other languages may also be considered depending on the project’s relevance and scope.

About the Fellowship

The Global Africa Translation Fellowship is a non-residential program, allowing scholars the flexibility to undertake translation projects outside the physical premises of The Africa Institute, Sharjah, UAE. This fellowship aims to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps by making important African and African Diaspora texts more widely available to a global audience. By doing so, it enriches academic discourse, supports the dissemination of African literary and scholarly contributions, and fosters intercultural engagement.

Grant Details

The fellowship provides funding ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the scope, quality, and significance of the proposed translation project. The selection committee will assess the feasibility and impact of the project before determining the final grant amount.

Eligible projects may include:

• New translations of previously untranslated works.
• Retranslations of classic or historically significant texts to reflect contemporary linguistic or cultural interpretations.
• Translations of poetry, prose, novels, or critical theoretical works that contribute to the fields of African and African Diaspora studies.
• Works-in-progress or entirely new projects that can be completed within the grant’s timeframe.

Eligibility and Application Process

All applications will be evaluated by The Africa Institute’s faculty and research fellows based on the quality of the proposal and the applicant’s demonstrated capacity to complete the project successfully. The monetary award will be disbursed in two installments: the first half at the commencement of the project and the second half upon successful completion.

Application Requirements

To apply, interested candidates must submit the following:

1. A two-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) including institutional affiliation, academic qualifications (highest degree received), and key publications or previous translation work.
2. A two-page project proposal (single-spaced, 12-point font) detailing:
   • The text chosen for translation.
   • The importance of the work within African and African Diaspora studies.
   • Justification for translation or retranslation.
   • Proposed completion timeline.
3. A sample of the original text and translation (4-5 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font).
4. Copyright status documentation:
   • If the text is not in the public domain, the applicant must provide a copy of the copyright notice from the original work.
   • A letter from the copyright holder confirming that the English or Arabic translation rights are available.

Key Benefits of the Fellowship

• Financial support to facilitate scholarly translation work.
• Contribution to African scholarship by making essential texts available to a broader audience.
• Flexible working arrangement as a non-residential program.
• Archival inclusion: A copy of the completed translation will be retained in The Africa Institute’s archives for documentation and scholarly purposes.

The translated work will remain the property of the translator and can be published independently unless an additional agreement is made with The Africa Institute.

Application Deadline

All applications must be submitted by Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Further Information

To learn more about eligibility criteria, submission guidelines, and previous recipients, visit the official webpage of the Africa Institute Global Africa Translation Fellowship.

This fellowship represents a unique opportunity to advance scholarship in African and African Diaspora studies while contributing to the cultural and intellectual heritage of the continent and its diaspora. Scholars, translators, and literary enthusiasts are encouraged to apply and be part of this vital initiative to enhance the accessibility of African knowledge and literature across linguistic boundaries.