Since its launch in 2011, the grant has brought 2,405 translated books to Arab and international libraries
- USD 300,000 allocated annually, including USD 250,000 for translations from and into Arabic and USD 50,000 for translations between other languages
- Grant funding reaches up to USD 4,000 per general title and USD 1,500 per children’s book, based on word count
Ahmed Al Ameri: “Each edition of the grant marks the beginning of a new journey for books reaching readers they might otherwise never have found”
From among more than 2,098 applications submitted by publishers from around the world, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has announced that 154 titles have been selected to receive its Translation Grant, one of Sharjah’s leading initiatives for advancing translation and cultural exchange worldwide.
Since its launch in 2011, the grant has supported the translation of 2,405 books, expanding access to works for Arab and international readers. SBA allocates USD 300,000 annually, including USD 250,000 to support translations from and into Arabic and USD 50,000 for translations between other languages.
The grant broadens cultural exchange between peoples worldwide and reinforces translation’s role in building bridges of communication and deepening dialogue between cultures. It also aims to expand the global reach of Arab creative and intellectual content, strengthening its contribution to human civilisation.
Arabic titles topped the list of grant recipients, with 76 books translated into 20 foreign languages, followed by 31 English-language titles translated into nine languages and 18 Turkish titles translated into seven languages. The grant also supported works from 53 other languages translated into Arabic.
Funding for each selected title can reach up to USD 4,000 for general books and USD 1,500 for children’s books, depending on the word count of each title.
Compared with 2025, when SBA approved 99 titles under the Translation Grant, this year’s selection of 154 titles marks an increase of 55 books, or approximately 56%. This growth reflects the calibre of submissions and rising interest in the programme, underscoring the grant’s role in recognising valuable knowledge-based content and expanding its presence across Arab and international publishing markets.
Strengthening cultural exchange across world languages
HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, said: “The Translation Grant complements Sharjah’s wider efforts to expand publishing activity and create new opportunities for knowledge to circulate across cultures. Each year, the programme grows not only by increasing the number of projects it supports, but also by encouraging publishers to discover new voices, experiences and ideas worth bringing to readers in other languages.
“Each edition of the grant marks the beginning of a new journey for books reaching readers they might otherwise never have found, while adding new works to the body of published knowledge. In doing so, it deepens dialogue between civilisations and reinforces the role of books as one of the most important means of exchanging ideas and building mutual understanding among peoples.”
Al Ameri added: “The grant is an extension of the cultural project led by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who has placed knowledge at the heart of civilisational development, transcending the boundaries of geography and language. It also reflects the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, to develop the grant as an advanced professional programme that meets publishers’ needs and helps turn translation projects into published works reaching readers around the world.”
A gateway for knowledge to reach new readers
Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at the Sharjah Book Authority, said: “Acquiring publishing rights is the first step in a book’s journey to new readers. That’s where the Translation Grant plays an important role – providing publishers with the support they need to move forward with translation projects and expand their businesses into new markets and languages.
“The results that the grant has achieved this year reflect publishers’ growing confidence in its value and its role in turning rights agreements into translated publications. This helps books reach new readers around the world and strengthens their presence in new markets and languages.”
Applicants to the grant are required to submit an official translation agreement, information about the translator, and copies of the final published edition. Eligible works include novels, biographies, cookbooks, poetry and children’s books, provided that the works are protected by copyright.