The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of U.S. Embassy Bishkek is pleased to announce the 2019 Book Translation Program. PAS is soliciting proposals from publishing houses, academic institutions and non-governmental organizations to publish books by American authors translated into the Kyrgyz language. The program provides funding for the copyright acquisition (if needed), translation, printing, and distribution of the title, along with follow-up programming. PAS expects to award three to four grants, pending the availability of funds, with an average award amount of $12,000 per title. The minimum print run is 5,000 copies. Books will be distributed by the grantee, U.S. Embassy, and partners to educational institutions, public libraries and American Spaces throughout the Kyrgyz Republic.
For this round of proposals we are focused on fiction or non-fiction appropriate for a range of ages on the following topics:
- STEAM
- economic empowerment and entrepreneurship
- civic participation
- volunteerism
- empowerment of disadvantaged groups
- youth issues
Books appropriate for use in reading and discussion groups or in secondary school or university classes are encouraged.
A complete application package must be submitted in English and includes:
- Completed application form
- Completed budget (using the template provided)
- A copy of the applicant organization’s legal registration
- CV (resume) of the project coordinator
Application packages should be sent to PAS using the email address below no later than 17:00, April 1, 2019. All proposals should propose a two-year timeline for the project, to allow for lengthy copyright negotiations. For more information, please contact PAS at the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek, telephone: (0312) 59-70-00 (ext.7698), e-mail: BishkekProjectProposals@state.gov, with the subject line “2019 Book Translation Program.”
Applicants are encouraged to check the list of previously translated titles. Applicants should not propose titles on this list.
The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek will form a Selection Committee to review submitted proposals. Once the application process is over, it may take several months to complete the review and approval process. The Book Translation Program reserves the right to reject applications for any reason. Each year we receive more qualified proposals than can be funded. While all applications are thoroughly reviewed, typically only three to four proposals are funded.
The Book Translation Selection Committee will use the following general criteria to evaluate all submitted grant proposals:
- The project proposal demonstrates that the organization has sufficient expertise, skills, and human resources to implement the project. The organization must have a staff member with working level English skills negotiate the copyright acquisition process and liaise with the U.S. copyright owner.
- The organization demonstrates that it has a clear understanding of the target audience and the relevance of the title to Kyrgyzstan.
- The organization has a clear plan follow-up programming, including a book launch.
- The project’s budget is well organized, detailed, and reasonable.
