Call for the selection of 8 positions for foreign translators whose native language is German, English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic. The selected candidates will be awarded a 4-week residency, to be held from July 26 to August 23, 2026, at Venice International University.

 

Deadline: April 30, 2026 at 12 pm

 

 

Venice International University and the Centro per il Libro e la Lettura – an autonomous institute of the Italian Ministry of Culture, operating under the Directorate General for Libraries and Copyright – have signed an agreement aimed at promoting the translation of Italian books and literary works abroad, in order to foster contemporary Italian literature in translation.

The initiative specifically supports translation from Italian into the following languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, with particular reference to both Italian fiction and non-fiction.

A call is hereby announced for the selection of 8 positions reserved for foreign translators whose native language is German, English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic. The selected candidates will be awarded a 4-week residency, to be held from July 26 to August 23, 2026, at Venice International University.
For this purpose, the University will provide access to its facilities (library, offices, and common areas) and will cover board and accommodation for each translator.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
•    Be a native speaker of German, English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic;
•    Hold a publishing contract for the translation of an Italian work of fiction or non-fiction into their native language, or alternatively, submit a translation project proposal.

Application Procedure
Applications must be written in Italian on plain paper and include a declaration confirming that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements set out in Article 2.
Applications must be sent by email to Venice International University at: viu@registerpec.it and viu@univiu.org. 

Deadline: No later than 12:00 PM on April 30, 2026

Applications must include the following documents:
•    Curriculum vitae, including a list of published translations;
•    Publishing contract or pre-contract letter for the translation of an Italian work into one of the following languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic;
•    Translation project proposal of an Italian work of fiction or non-fiction;
•    Copy of a valid ID document.

Applicants are invited to read the full text of the call and the detailed participation guidelines available in Italian and in English at the link provided.