Grants for publishers, writers, translators and literary tours from fwd-books.eu
fwd is a new European platform dedicated to bringing outstanding contemporary books to readers across borders. The programme builds on the success of the international cooperation project CELA (Connecting Emerging Literary Artists) which supported the professional development of emerging writers and literary translators across Europ.
With the support of Creative Europe, fwd aims to forward a new generation of European books to the next generation of readers. While CELA focuses on talent development, fwd focuses on helping emerging European writers reach international audiences through translation, publication and promotion.
fwd offers publishers early access to a selected set of recently published books by emerging European literary talent with strong international potential. By participating in fwd, publishers become part of a European network dedicated to literary discovery, translation, and cross-border collaboration.
The programme increases the visibility of selected titles through international branding, coordinated promotion, and reader-focused campaigns, including presentation through an app specifically designed for fwd readers where readers can engage with each other, the translator and the writer, sharing their perspectives on the fwd books.
At its core, fwd is designed to create sustainable connections between publishers, translators, writers and a new generation of European readers. fwd offers grants to publishers, writers, translators. literary festivals and professionals.
fwd focuses on prose books from small language markets and currently consists of 15 literary organisations from 13 European countries and is coordinated by International Literature House Wintertuin from Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
fwd grants 2026
- Mobility grant for literary artists, festivals and professionals: grants to support
and encourage international exchange and the promotion of emerging literary
artists on international stages. For fwd writers, translators and professionals and
CELA writers, translators and professionals before 2026. Apply by 30 November 2026.
Fwd grants in 2027
- Pitching grant for translators: selected translators receive 1.400 euro to create
sample translations, cover letters and take part in an international pitching
campaign. Next call opens on 1 September 2027. - Kickstarting grant for publishers: publishers that acquire the translations rights
of one of the books pitch through fwd, and work with the selected fwd translator
can apply for a €2,000 grant to support the realization of the translation. Next
call closes on 28 February 2027. - Promotion grant for publishers: selected publishers receive up to €3,000 to
support the promotion of the fwd book. Publishers are selected based on market
opportunities in June 2027. - Literary tour grant: connected festivals, bookshops and selected publishers can
apply for a grant up to 2.000 euro to support the participation of author and
translator in a book promotion tour. Next call opens on 1 July 2027.
Find out more on the fwd European Books that Move website.