The Africa Institute Global Africa Translation Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious funding opportunity designed to support translators working to make important African and African Diaspora texts accessible to a wider global audience. Offered under The Africa Institute’s African Languages and Translation Program, the fellowship provides grants of up to $5,000 for high-quality translation projects that contribute to global scholarship, cultural exchange, and literary preservation.
The fellowship is open to applicants from across the Global South and supports translations primarily into English or Arabic, while also considering translations into other languages. Through this initiative, The Africa Institute aims to amplify African voices and intellectual traditions by removing language barriers that limit access to key texts.
About the Global Africa Translation Fellowship
The Global Africa Translation Fellowship is a non-residential program, allowing awardees to complete their projects independently from their home countries or places of work. Fellows are not required to relocate to The Africa Institute or Global Studies University in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
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The fellowship focuses on translating significant works related to:
- African studies
- African Diaspora studies
- Literature, history, and critical theory
- Cultural and intellectual traditions of Africa and its global communities
By supporting translation projects, the fellowship helps preserve cultural heritage while ensuring that vital texts reach a broader international readership.
Funding Amount and Project Scope
Successful applicants may receive between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on the scope, depth, and quality of the proposed project. Funding decisions are made based on the strength of the proposal and the applicant’s ability to complete the translation within the fellowship period.
Eligible projects include:
- Translations of previously untranslated works
- Retranslations of classic texts, where new interpretations are justified
- Poetry, prose, and literary works
- Collections of critical theory or scholarly writing
- Projects that are works-in-progress or newly proposed, as long as they are feasible within the grant timeline
The fellowship encourages diverse genres and approaches, provided the project contributes meaningfully to African and African Diaspora scholarship.
Fellowship Objectives and Impact
The primary goal of the Global Africa Translation Fellowship is to expand access to African knowledge systems and creative works. Many important texts remain unavailable to wider audiences due to language limitations. This fellowship addresses that gap by supporting translators who can bring these works into global academic and literary conversations.
By funding translation projects, The Africa Institute strengthens cross-cultural understanding and promotes the global circulation of African ideas, histories, and artistic expressions.
Selection and Evaluation Process
Applications are reviewed by faculty members and research fellows at The Africa Institute. Selection is based on two main factors:
- Quality of the Proposal – including the significance of the text, clarity of the translation plan, and relevance to African or African Diaspora studies
- Applicant’s Capacity – demonstrated experience, skills, and ability to complete the project successfully
Funding is disbursed in two installments:
- The first payment is made at the start of the fellowship
- The second payment is released upon successful completion of the translation
Awardees must submit a final copy of the completed translation for archival purposes. The Africa Institute will not publish or use the translation without the explicit consent of the fellow.
Eligibility and Who Should Apply
The fellowship is open to translators, scholars, researchers, and practitioners from the Global South with demonstrated interest or experience in African or African Diaspora texts. Applicants should have the academic background or professional expertise required to complete a high-quality translation.
Translations may be proposed into English, Arabic, or other languages, making the fellowship inclusive of a wide range of linguistic and cultural contexts.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete application through the official online application platform. Email submissions will not be accepted. Each uploaded document must not exceed 3 MB.
Required materials include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A two-page CV outlining institutional affiliation, educational background (highest degree earned), and key publications or creative works. - Project Summary
A two-page, single-spaced document (font size 12) describing:- The text to be translated
- The importance and relevance of the work
- Justification for retranslation, if applicable
- Proposed timeline and expected completion dates
- Translation Sample
A 4–5 page, double-spaced sample (font size 12) showing the original text alongside the proposed translation. - Copyright Information
An explanation of the copyright status of the work. If the text is not in the public domain, applicants must provide:- A copy of the copyright notice
- A letter from the copyright holder confirming the availability of English-language rights
Application Deadline and Important Dates
The 2026 Open Call is now open.
- Application Deadline: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Applicants should note that the application system will be temporarily unavailable on January 28 between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM (GST) due to scheduled maintenance.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through the online portal using the “Start New Application” or “Continue Existing Application” options.
Apply Now!
The Africa Institute Global Africa Translation Fellowship 2026 is a valuable opportunity for translators committed to amplifying African and African Diaspora voices. With funding of up to $5,000, flexible project structures, and global academic impact, the fellowship supports meaningful work that bridges cultures and expands access to important texts.
For translators seeking both financial support and international recognition, this fellowship represents a significant step forward.
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