Residencies for UK-based Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse literary translators
Deadline 21/09/2026
Through Visible Communities, National Centre for Writing is offering a range of professional development opportunities to UK-based Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse literary translators, and literary translators working from heritage, diaspora and community languages.
Visible Communities programme aims to:
– Diversify access routes to literary translation
– Strengthen links between the literary translation community and diaspora communities in the UK
– Contribute to the debate around decolonising literary translation
– Expand the range of literature published in translation
Who can apply?
The Visible Communities residencies are open to UK-based Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse literary translators working from any language into English.
Organisers are particularly interested in collaborating with literary translators and writers who translate from or have some knowledge of the diaspora and heritage language communities within the UK.
The residencies will run simultaneously for four months, from February to May 2027. We will pay a fee of £3,000 per residency.
The timing of the work is flexible and will depend on the individual project proposed. During the residency, the emphasis will be on time for research and writing, with the final deadline for commission at the end of May 2027.
If you are interested in this opportunity, send a cover letter, which should include the following information:
– why you are interested in this opportunity and what you will bring to the Visible Communities programme
– the areas of interest or issues you propose to explore during the residency and the approach that you will take
– your ideas for a translation-related Meet the World event
– your relevant experience
Please also include a CV and a translation sample (up to 2000 words) and send your application to: residencies@nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk with the subject title Visible Communities virtual residency.
The deadline for applications is Monday 21 September 2026.