Gros bookshop moves, 1965. Image: Rafael Olin. SLS/Rafael Olins Fotosamling

Printing and translation grants

Who can apply for printing and translation grants

Publishers, associations, and organisations that publish literature in Finland can apply for printing and translation grants. Private individuals living in Finland can also apply for grants for self-published books, provided that the application is accompanied by statements from two independent readers.

Grants can be given for the printing of Swedish-language fiction and non-fiction or for the translation of Finnish-language fiction and non-fiction into Swedish. The work must be published in Finland.

When to apply

You can apply for printing and translation grants in April and October. When the application period is open, the link to the application can be found on the home page of this website.

What you can apply

Printing

The printing costs of the book for which funding is requested must be based on a quote from a printing company. The publisher can only apply for grants for actual printing costs. The printing grant cannot be used, for example, for image processing costs, layout fees, royalties or mailing costs for books. Printing lists need not be attached to the application. However, SLS may request copies for inspection.

Translation

You can apply for support for the translation of Finnish-language fiction and non-fiction into Swedish. Grants can be applied for up to the translation fee agreed with the translator. The maximum translation grant that can be awarded for an individual project is EUR 4,000.

Translation grants can only be applied for if:

a contract has been signed between the publisher and the rights holder of the original work.
a contract has been signed between the publisher and the translator.

The publisher’s agreement with the translator and the rights holder need not be attached to the application. However, SLS may request copies for inspection.

Genres that can receive grants

Fiction

You can apply for grants for:

the printing of newly written prose, poetry, children’s and youth literature, drama and cartoons in Swedish.
translations from Finnish to Swedish that will be published in printed form.

You cannot apply for grants for:

already published works or new editions.

Non-fiction

You can apply for grants for:

newly written general non-fiction and essays, biographies and memoirs in Swedish.
translations from Finnish to Swedish published in printed form and scientific journals published in Finland.

You cannot apply for grants for:

academic dissertations, reference works (e.g., dictionaries), handbooks or teaching materials.
already published works or for new editions.

How to apply

Application

You submit your application in the SLS electronic application system. You will find the link to the application on the home page of this website when the application period is open (in April and October).

Payment

Request the grant in the same electronic application system. A prerequisite for the payment is that the publisher signs and returns the agreement that we have sent to the applicant as soon as possible.

Once the publisher has sent four copies of the book to SLS, the grant will be paid to the bank account specified in the requisition. The support decision is valid for 24 months after it has been granted.

Follow-up

The publisher must deliver four copies of the finished work to SLS as soon as the book is published, but no later than 24 months after the date of the grant. If the work is not received within the specified period, the grant will be cancelled.

On what grounds are grants awarded?

Printing

The purpose of the printing grant is to promote the publication of literature in the Swedish language and the Swedish cultural heritage in Finland. The assessment of applications considers the literary quality and professional relevance of the work and the publisher’s professional skills.

Translation

The purpose of the translation grant is to promote the translation and publication of Finnish-language literature in Swedish as well as promote the Swedish cultural heritage in Finland. The assessment of applications considers the literary quality and professional relevance of the work as well as the professional skills of the publisher and translator.

A prerequisite for the granting of translation subsidies is that:

the translator translates into their own mother tongue.
the translator has sufficient experience in translation.

The publisher must pay the translator in accordance with the translation contract between the publisher and the translator. The purpose of the translation grant is to reimburse part of the publisher’s translation costs.

We do not justify or comment on positive or negative decisions.

Do you have any questions? Contact delegationen@sls.fi.

If you are awarded a printing or translation grant

The published book must include the following statement, depending on the funding the book has received:

Published with the support of state funds distributed by the Delegation for the Promotion of Swedish Literature/ Society of Swedish Literature in Finland.
Published with the support of the Society of Swedish Literature in Finland from Christian and Constance Westermarck’s fund.
Published with the support of the Society of Swedish Literature in Finland from Ingrid, Margit and Henrik Höijer’s donation fund I.

The publisher undertakes to use the grant for the intended purpose. If the grant is not used in accordance with the instructions, the subsidy paid will be reclaimed.

If the project is cancelled or significantly changed after the application has been submitted, the publisher must inform SLS without delay.

What is the Delegation for the Promotion of Swedish Literature?

The Delegation for the Promotion of Swedish Literature is responsible for state support for the printing of Swedish-language fiction and non-fiction published in Finland and the translation of Finnish-language fiction and non-fiction into Swedish.

The delegation is also responsible for printing subsidies from the SLS funds: Christian and Constance Westermarck’s fund; and Ingrid, Margit and Henrik Höijer’s donation fund I.

Do you have any questions?

Apply here

Apply for printing and translation grants at