Translation Prize

Since 1986, the French-American Foundation, with the longstanding support of the Florence Gould Foundation, has awarded an annual prize for the best translation from French to English in both fiction and nonfiction.

The Translation Prize has established itself as a valuable element of the intellectual and cultural exchange between France and the United States. Its purpose is to promote French literature in the United States and to provide translators and their craft with greater visibility among publishers and readers. The prize also seeks to increase the visibility of the publishers who bring these important French works of literature to the American market in translation of exceptional quality.

Winners are chosen by a jury of translators and literary professionals and honored at an annual Awards Ceremony.

Submissions are now open for the 40th Annual Translation Prize.

Apply here now through January 12, 2026.

Learn more about last year’s Translation Prize:

Winners of the 39th Annual Translation Prize:

Fiction: Lazer Lederhendler, for his translation of The Hollow Beast by Christophe Bernard (Biblioasis)

Nonfiction: John Lambert, for his translation of V13: Chronicle of a Trial by Emmanuel Carrère (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

Our winners and finalists were celebrated at an Awards Ceremony on June 25, 2025 at the New York Society Library.

Click below to read more about the 2025 winners and finalists, including exclusive interviews.

2025 Finalists  2025 Interviews

If you have questions about the Translation Prize, please contact Lillianne Daniels at ldaniels@frenchamerican.org.