CCTSS Guideline for Getting Translation Subsidies for China-related Works
Edited & translated by CCTSS.org Editorial
For all translators, writers, readers, viewers, publishers and film/TV program buyers across the world, China’s translation subsidies might feel like a mystery. What is it? Where does it come from? How could one get it? For the first time in history, CCTSS.org (Chinese Culture Translation and Studies Support Network) decides to make it simple and clear once and for all. Albeit all the trouble of getting around different departments and papers and interviewing different purse-holders, CCTSS finally worked out this version of an exclusive, hopefully fairly feasible and accessible guideline for international stakeholders to apply for translation subsidies from China. You are welcome to register as a member of CCTSS.org online community and inquire on these polices, or write to editor@cctss.org for further guidance to navigate this very friendly yet complicated world of literary funding. As chairman Mao puts it: The road is always winding, but the future is ultimately bright. Good luck!
I. “International Writers on Chinese Themes” Writing Program (IWCT)
1. Application Deadline: April 20, 2017
2. Subsidizer: State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television
3. Assessment Agency: Experts Panel organized by CCTSS.org
4. Requirements: 1) Finished books to be published in international markets about China, written in target languages (must be in English or other major languages with wide readership) by international authors, including sinologists, writers, media professionals, scholars and celebrities, upon invitation of Chinese publishing houses. 2) Unfinished books of the above nature with more than a half draft finished in target language. Books under planning with clear and feasible writing outlines and sample style. 3) Authors shall be foreigners with strong interest in and deep knowledge about China and Chinese culture. 4) All works shall present China objectively. 5) All works shall be operated by enterprises according to market practices, with ample studies about the target market and promotion plans. 6) Once approved and subsidied according to this plan, the application company (Chinese enterprise) and its overseas partners must realize the book’s publication and overseas distribution within 2 years.
5. Application form download and application: works@cctss.org
II. Chinese Works Overseas Promotion Plan
1. Application Period: Twice every year. The first period starts from the beginning of January to end of February, and the second starts from the beginning of July to end of August.
2. Subsidizer & Assessment Agency: China Book International
3. Requirements: 1) Works that reflect political, economic and cultural developments in modern China and help foreign readers understand China and appreciate Chinese culture. 2) Works that reflect major research results of China’s natural and social sciences. 3) Works with cultural value that present Chinese traditional culture, literature and arts, etc.
4. Contact: works@cctss.org
cbiwangfeng@163.com
III. Translation Support Project for Contemporary Chinese Works (Literature)
1. Application Period: all year open.
2. Subsidizer & Assessment Agency: TSPCCW Secretariat at China Writers Association
3. Requirements: 1) This program mainly provides translation subsidies to support foreign-market-targeted translation and publishing plans of contemporary Chinese works created and published after 1978, including fiction, genre literature, poetry, prose and nonfiction writing. 2) Translation plan and subsidy application of literary items in accordance with the above requirements could be filed any time since the co-publishing contracts are signed between copyright owners and legitimate publishing entites abroad. 3) Applicants may be copyright agents, publishing houses, translators or authors with copyrights still in his/her hands.
4. Contact: works@cctss.org
dreamworker2013@163.com
IV. Translation Funding Project for Chinese Academic Works
1. Application Period: March 1-April 29
2. Subsidizer & Assessment Agency: National Social Science Fund of China
3. Requirements: 1) This project mainly provides funding for the translation and publication of overseas academic works by Chinese scholars already published in China. Books written by Chinese scholars in foreign languages and with over 80% completed and copyright belonging to Chinese foreign-language academic journals of social sciences may also apply. 2) Target languages mainly include English, French, Spanish, Russian, German, Japanese, Korean and Arabic, along with other languages. Works could come from 25 disciplines (except for military science) under National Social Science Funds of China. 3) Candidate works shall mainly be in forms of single academic book or academic journals. A few high-quality symposium and academic monographs may also apply. 4) Candidate works shall have no less than 100,000 words and must be adapted and compressed if over 300,000 words. Single academic books or monographs shall have no more than 500,000 words. 5) Finished works shall be published in foreign language or both Chinese and foreign languages simultaneously by prestigious foreign publishing agencies alone or co-published by Chinese and foreign publishing agencies, and then placed in mainstream overseas distribution channels.
4. Contact: works@cctss.org
ghbdyc@126.com
V. “Oriental Studies Support Program” and Sinologists Study & Writing Programs
1. Application Period: all year long
2. Subsidizer & Assessment Agency: Ministry of Culture & National Social Science Fund
3. Requirements: 1) Works and authors shall be recommended by Chinese Embassies or Cultural Centers abroad; 2) Topics, depth, authenticity, value and potentials of these works should be evaluated by advisory boards created by the subsidizer and assessment agencies; 3) Works should be helpful for bilateral relations and people-to-people understanding.
4. Contact: works@cctss.org
fanyichu@sina.com
VI. “Books for Belt and Road Countries” Translation Support Project 2017
1. Application Deadline: April 1, 2017
2. Subsidizer & Assessment Agency: State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television
3. Requirements: 1) Candidate works shall be published and distributed in countries along the “Belt and Road” primarily in forms of copyright export or co-publishing. 2) Candidate works shall only be books, excluding audio-visual products (except for those attached to applying books), comic books, cartons, photographic works and painting albums. 3) Candidate works shall be books written in Chinese with foreign publishing agencies as partners of copyright export or co-publishing (with signed agreements) and final publishing shall be completed within 3 years (since the application deadline).
3. Contact: works@cctss.org
silufy@163.com
VII. International Publishing Support Project for Chinese Classics 2017
1. Application Deadline: April 1, 2017
2. Subsidizer & Assessment Agency: State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television
3. Requirements: 1) Candidate works shall realize copyright export to non-Chinese-speaking areas or co-publishing and co-distribution together with publishing agencies in non-Chinese-speaking areas, primarily in forms of copyright export or co-publishing and co-distribution. 2) Candidate works shall be books, excluding audio-visual products (except for those attached to applying books), electronic publications or digital books. 3) Qualified applicants include foreign publishing and copyright licensing agencies as well as Chinese publishing groups and presses. 4) Candidate origin works shall be books written in Chinese with high cultural value (including languages of ethnic groups) with foreign publishing agencies as partners of copyright export or co-publishing (with signed agreements or contracts) and the publishing shall be completed within 3 years (since the application deadline).
4. Contact: works@cctss.org
cci_project@sina.com
VIII. Translation Support Project for Contemporary Chinese Works 2017 (Publishing)
1. Application Deadline: March 6, 2017
2. Subsidizer & Assessment Agency: TSPCCW Secretariat at State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television
3. Requirements: 1) Funding for this project covers literary works published in Mainland China since 1978, including both literary and non-literary works. 2) Candidate works shall ultimately realize copyright export to non-Chinese-speaking areas or be co-published and co-distributed together with publishing agencies in non-Chinese-speaking areas, primarily in forms of copyright export or co-publishing. 3) Candidate works shall only be books. 4) Applicants shall include publishing groups or agencies, namely Chinese or foreign publishing agencies or agents with copyright of the applying item (or they shall be able to coordinate diverse copyright holders), a strong translator team and a team of strong sales capacities.
4. Contact: works@cctss.org
cci_project@sina.com
IX. Translation and Production Funding for Outstanding Film and Television Works
1. Application Deadline: March 15, 2017
2. Subsidizer & Assessment Agency: State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television
3. Requirements: 1) Candidate works shall be television series, films, animation or documentaries that present fine Chinese culture and honestly reflecting China’s national image. 2) Candidate works shall be film or television producing agencies with copyright of applying items (or they shall be able to coordinate diverse copyright holders) that are able to organize high-quality translation and production with clear overseas sales and promotion plans. 3) Finished works shall include dubbing and subtitles in foreign languages. 4) Translation and dubbing shall be finished within 5 months and promotion within 1 year.
4. Contact: works@cctss.org
zonghechu@chinasarft.gov.cn
If you’re interested in the above programs, you could send emails to respective addresses for further inquiry or write to works@cctss.org for application forms (if applicable), you are also welcome to send us your CV and plans of translating, writing, production or publication and register as a professional member of CCTSS.org so as to receive more in-depth, authorative information like this and let us help your “dream works” become realities. Your comments and advices are most welcome.
Website: www.cctss.org
Tel: +0086-010-82300038
E-mail: works@cctss.org
