Kunststiftung NRW Literature Prize - Straelener Translation Prize

The Kunststiftung NRW, in cooperation with the EÜK, awards the annual Kunststiftung NRW Literature Prize - Straelener Translation Prize worth €25,000.

Since 2001, the prize has honoured outstanding achievements in the field of literary translation. Further considerations in awarding the prize include the support of transnational cultural exchange and strengthening international understanding.

The prize is one of the most highly-endowed awards for literary translation. For two years running it is awarded to a translator translating into German, in the third year it is awarded to a translator translating from German.

The Kunststiftung appoints a jury of five independent jury members made up of literary translators and literary critics who decide on the winner of the award. In the case of prizes awarded to translators from the German language, (just) three jury members are appointed.

Prize nominations are generally accepted from translators themselves, as well as publishers, editors, literary critics and interested private individuals. Should a selection committee be set up, then no proposals for the prize need be submitted.

The prize was awarded biennially until 2007, but since then it has been awarded annually.

And since 2012 the prize has grown to include a support grant. The Kunststiftung NRW views this award as a way of encouraging all those translators who are already published but do not yet have an extensive body of work. The recognition and financial support of the grant aims to encourage them to carry on their translation adventure into the future. There is no age limit for applicants. The support grant is worth €5,000 and is announced at the same time as, and extra to, the main prize. 

The call for applications is announced in autumn for the following year. If a selection committee has been set up, then no application documents need be submitted.