Grant Programme for projects related to literature and literary translation

Grant Programme for projects related to literature and literary translation is sponsored by Jan Michalski Foundation for Writing and Literature. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Associations & Institutions – Fondation Jan Michalski Associations & Institutions The Jan Michalski Foundation supports projects related to literature and literary translation beyond its four walls, in Switzerland and abroad, by a program that awards grants. Grant requests are considered over a ten-month period by a commission presided by Vera Michalski-Hoffmann. Aid is attributed according to several criteria, viz.

, quality and originality of the project, its ability to promote literature, and evidence of financial need. The Foundation only supports projects of a literary nature, regardless of the country of origin or the territory it covers. Only complete applications and dossiers that present a literary project will be taken into account and examined.

Direct support to writers takes place only through our residency program. During the processing of the application, no news is given to the applicants either by mail or by phone. Criteria and the attribution process Grant requests can be made by not-for-profit bodies, associations, or foundations, or, in rare cases, private individuals.

The Foundation supports a range of projects, including: Literary events: literary festivals, readings, debates, lectures, performances, etc. Literature-based writing and translation workshops Theatrical writing (only one request per theatrical company every two years, with a minimum of five performances confirmed by the hosting venue(s): revivals, adaptations of already existing plays, and expenses related to the production and distribution of the performance are excluded from the scope of financial support) Exhibitions dedicated to literature or writers Publication of literary archives, reedition of rare works that are out of print Manifestos in favor of literature Publication (only one request per publisher per year for a title) Projects involving an individual approach (thesis, grant, study abroad, education program, and so on), self-publishing or profit-oriented projects are excluded.

Evaluation of the projects Projects that are considered for financial assistance are evaluated on a month-by-month basis by a commission that is headed by Vera Michalski-Hoffmann, the president of the Foundation Board. When examining the dossiers, the commission reserves the right to request additional information and, if necessary, meet the person or persons in charge of the project.

Submitted dossiers must conform to the demands required by the Jan Michalski Foundation (see Submitting a project ) and be written in either French or English. They must include the documents that are indispensable to their evaluation. The incomplete dossiers won’t be registered.

Receipt of a complete dossier will be confirmed by mail. The dossier will then be registered in our databank and treated within ten months.

Evaluation is based on the following criteria for reaching a decision by the commission: Quality and coherence of the literary project Literary dimension of the project, its expected impact, its usefulness Capacity to promote literature with the general public Professionalism and abilities of the individual(s) behind the project to ensure that it is realized Feasibility of the project in accordance with the financial plan Proof of a need for financing The decision to award or deny a grant rests with the president of the Commission, who is free to choose.

It will be transmitted to the project’s organizers in writing. Appeals or requests for justifying a decision will not be considered. During the time the dossier is under consideration, no information about its status will be transmitted to those making the request, whether by mail or by telephone.

The financial assistance will be paid upon presentation of an invoice indicating the amount granted and detailing the electronic bank details for payment. Should the accepted project be abandoned, for whatever reason, the responsible parties must inform the Jan Michalski Foundation at their earliest convenience.

Supporting documents and communication The beneficiaries agree to publish the Jan Michalski Foundation logo or explicitly mention the Foundation’s name in communications referring to the project, in written documents and multimedia communiqués.

Furthermore, they will keep the Jan Michalski Foundation informed as to the progress of the project and will provide the Foundation with a report as well as the copies of the published project as per request. The Jan Michalski Foundations reserves the right to mention the project on its website.

Requests for financial aid must be sent to the Jan Michalski Foundation and figure in a complete dossier, written in either French or English, and containing the following elements: Our request form for financial aid , which must be downloaded A detailed description of the cultural project A list of the main persons involved in the project accompanied by a short CV for each of them A description of any earlier projects that were realized A provisional budget with a detailed note on each of the posts A detailed financial plan summarizing the different financial contributions that are expected If you are presenting a theatrical project, a letter of confirmation of hosting a minimum of five performances must be provided by the venue(s) presenting the show (performances resulting from the applicants’ own venue rentals are excluded from this count) The statutes of your organization The complete dossier should be sent to the following address: pour l’écriture et la littérature A specific program is designed to meet the needs and interests of our different target audiences, according to their interactions with the Jan Michalski Foundation.

Information about financial assistance can be found in the Associations & Institutions section.