The Malta Book Fund is an initiative launched by the National Book Council to foster cultural growth in the local book market. This initiative forms part of the NBC’s endeavour to take on the role of a cultural agent within society, thus becoming a proactive and progressive contributor to the cultural, educational and intellectual development of society. Small amounts of funding can make a great difference to publishing projects in our small yet thriving book market, especially to projects in Maltese of local and cultural significance.
The NBC, in its drive to contribute to the overall development of the Maltese book industry, aims at supporting authors, translators and publishers by financing projects as a way of boosting confidence in the pursuit of new projects and initiatives, encouraging them not to shun projects on the grounds of commercial viability.
One of the main aims of the fund is to subsidise, through the Publishing Grants, quality publications of high cultural and educational value that in the context of the local market are not seen as commercially viable and thus would otherwise remain unpublished. The Translation Grants will be supporting applications for the translation of Maltese works to any other language, and the translation of works from any other language into Maltese.
All of the grants within the Malta Book Fund adhere to the provisions of the Writers’ Charter of Economic Rights. The grants will be awarded to successful applicants following a competitive adjudication process.
Grants will be awarded following a rigorous application process vetted by the Malta Book Fund adjudication board, which strives to ensure that financial allocations are made to those applicants who would make the best use of their funds.
The Malta Book Fund 2020 has an annual budget of €105,000. All grants awarded may support up to 100% of the proposed project up to a maximum of €5,000.
Publishing Grants
The annual sum allocated to the Publishing Grants is €50,000. The fund has the aim of supporting the publication of quality literature and/or works of research.
The Publishing grants will be open to works of fiction, non-fiction and works of academic research. Preference will be given to ambitious projects of high cultural value and relevance to the target local market, and particularly if such projects face limitations relating to commercial viability. The grants support applications for the publication of original works of fiction, including novels, poetry, drama, biographies, literary nonfiction and graphic novels, as well as academic and scholarly books including monographs, edited collections, and critical editions. Books based solely on imagery or photography are ineligible.
Translation Grants
The Malta Book Fund Translation Grants form part of the National Book Council’s strategy to boost the export and international dissemination of Maltese publications, and support Maltese language translators in bringing international works of literature and research to a Maltese-reading public.
Translation Grants are divided into two categories:
Category 1 – Translations of Maltese books
The category supports applications for translation projects of Maltese works (published in the Maltese or English language in Malta with a Maltese ISBN) into any other language, with an annual allocated budget of €40,000.
Works which are going to be translated through a bridge language translation but which were originally written in the Maltese language will be considered, but priority will be given to works translated from original Maltese editions.
Category 2 – Translations into Maltese
The category supports applications for the translation of works into Maltese of works originally published in any other language. The annual allocated budget for Category 2 is €15,000.
Both categories of the programme address the translation of literary works including novels, poetry, drama, biographies, literary nonfiction and graphic novels, as well as works of academic research.
How to apply
Interested applicants are encouraged to carefully read the guidelines and regulations of the respective Grants for information on eligibility and the evaluation process before applying.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, applications for the Malta Book Fund 2020 are to be signed, scanned and submitted by email to michael.mercieca@gov.mt using the subject line: Malta Book Fund 2020 – application [AND NAME OF APPLICANT].
The printed and signed complete application must be mailed to the National Book Council offices:
Malta Book Fund 2020 – National Book Council
First floor, Central Public Library,
Prof. J. Mangion Street,
Floriana, FRN1800
Malta Book Fund 2020 deadline
The call for applications closes on Tuesday 30 June 2020 at noon.
What happens after you submit your application?
Results notification
The order of classification of applications submitted will be published within four (4) weeks from the application deadline.
Project implementation
If your application is approved and funded, you will be requested to sign a beneficiaries contract specifying the conditions of the fund, and you will be receiving 50% (fifty per cent) of the amount allocated to the project. Upon completion of the project, the remaining 50% (fifty per cent) will be released following approval by the National Book Council of the final report, and submission and tallying of final invoices and receipts.
Contact us
In case of difficulty, or if you would like to consult us regarding this fund, you can email us on simona.cassano@ktieb.org.mt. You can also call us on +356 99968511 Monday to Friday between 09:00hrs and 16:00hrs.
- Revamped Malta Book Fund is now open for applications
- The National Book Council announces revamped Malta Book Fund
- NBC Film Adaptation Fund 2019: Results
- The NBC Film Adaptation Fund 2019 - Call for Applications
- NBC Audio-visual contests 2019 - Results are out
- The results of the Malta Book Fund 2018–19 are out
- National Book Council Audiovisual work 2019: the Malta Literary Short-Film Contest and the Call for Applications for the NBC Docudrama Series 2019
- The main local guests at the Malta Book Festival: Lou Drofenik and Victor Fenech
- Mistiedna lokali ewlenin waqt il-Festival Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb: Lou Drofenik u Victor Fenech
- NBC Literary Short Film Contest 2018
- Applications for the Malta Literary Short Film Contest 2018 are open
- Results of the Malta Book Fund 2017 are out
- Help with the Application for the Malta Book Fund
- Education Grants within the Malta Book Fund
- A Malta Book Fund Project: Kif Dieb il-Gemiem
- Results of the Malta Literary Short Film Contest are Out
- Funds for Literary Translation
- MALTA BOOK FUND: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- Malta Book Fund 2017 is Open!
- Film Adaptation at the Malta Book Festival 2016
- Winner of the NBC PBS Short Film Contest 2016
- Applications are out for the NBC PBS Short Film Contest 2016
- Annual Report 2015
- InTranslation Conference
- Trailer of 'Dar ir-Rummien' is out
- Malta Book Festival 2015 - Programme of Events
- Malta Book Fund 2015 results are out
- Winners of the NBC PBS Short-Film Contest 2015
- Launch of Malta Book Fund - 12/05/2015
- NBC and PBS: Call for Interns to work on set of short-film
- Annual Report 2014
- PBS and NBC launch the Short Film Contest - 02/02/2015
- NBC film: Laqgħa ma' Mara Morbi
Submissions to the Malta Book Fund will be open from 26 March to 24 May 2024. Results will be announced on 23 July 2024.
The Malta Book Fund is an initiative launched by the National Book Council to foster cultural growth in the local book market. This initiative forms part of the NBC’s endeavour to take on the role of a cultural agent within society, thus becoming a proactive and progressive contributor to the cultural, educational and intellectual development of society. Small amounts of funding can make a great difference to publishing projects in our small yet thriving book market, especially to projects in Maltese of local and cultural significance.
The NBC, in its drive to contribute to the overall development of the Maltese book industry, aims at supporting authors, translators and publishers by financing projects as a way of boosting confidence in the pursuit of new projects and initiatives, encouraging them not to shun projects on the grounds of commercial viability.
One of the main aims of the fund is to subsidise, through the Publishing Grants, quality publications of high cultural and educational value that in the context of the local market are not seen as commercially viable and thus would otherwise remain unpublished. The Malta Book Fund also seeks to increase the international dissemination of Maltese books and literature through its Translation and Export Grants.
The budget of the 2024 Malta Book Fund is of €120,000.
The 2024 Malta Book Fund is receiving applications for five types of grants:
i) Publishing Grants for New Books;
ii) Publishing Grants for New Editions of Out-of-Print Works;
iii) Translation and Export Grants Category 1: Grants for the Translation and Export of books by Maltese authors;
iv) Translation and Export Grants Category 2: Book Translation Pitch Grants (Sample translations);
v) Grants for Translations into Maltese
All grants awarded may support up to 100% of the proposed project up to a maximum of €5,000 for all grants except the Book Translation Pitch Grants, which may support up to a maximum of €500 per pitch proposal. Grants will be awarded following a rigorous competitive application process vetted by the Malta Book Fund adjudication board, which strives to ensure that financial allocations are made to those applicants who would make the best use of their funds.
Publishing Grants for New Books
The annual sum allocated to the Publishing Grants for New Books is €50,000. The fund has the aim of supporting the publication of quality literature and/or works of research.
The Publishing Grants for New Books are open to works of fiction, non-fiction and works of academic research. Preference will be given to ambitious projects of high cultural value and relevance to the target local market, and particularly if such projects face limitations relating to commercial viability. The grants support applications for the publication of original works of fiction, including novels, poetry, drama, biographies, literary nonfiction and graphic novels, as well as academic and scholarly books including monographs, edited collections, and critical editions. Books based solely on imagery or photography are ineligible.
Publishing Grants for New Editions of Out-of-Print Works
The annual budget for Publishing Grants for New Editions is €10,000. This Grant aims at bridging the gap between the need to read classics and books forming part of the Maltese literary canon, and their unavailability in bookshops, with an eye to specifically subsidize the publication of new editions of books that are out of print.
It supports applications for the publication of new editions of out-of-print works published at least 20 years before the launch of the current Malta Book Fund call. Applicants can apply for the following types of out-of-print works, carrying a Maltese ISBN: literature (fiction, poetry, drama, biographies, literary nonfiction and graphic novels); works of research including academic and scholarly books (monographs, edited collections, critical editions, researched exhibition and gallery catalogues containing analytical material that is the result of research). In contrast to a straightforward reprint, the new edition must have at least one of the following:
– substantial changes in the format or binding;
– substantial changes to at least 25% of the original written content or at least 10% new written content; or
– substantial changes to the illustrations, other than on the cover.
More than 50% of its content must be taken from the previously published book. It is imperative that the rights holder of the previous/original edition is identified and contacted.
Translation and Export Grants
The Malta Book Fund Translation and Export Grants form part of the National Book Council’s strategy to boost the export and international dissemination of Maltese publications, and elevate the visibility and recognition of Maltese books internationally. The Translation and Export Grants are divided into two categories.
Category 1
Translation and Export of books by Maltese authors
This category supports applications for the following types of export and translation projects, with an annual allocated budget of €40,000.
– Publications of translation projects of Maltese works (published in the Maltese or English) into any other language.
– Publications of English-language Maltese works in new English language territories where translation is not usually required (rights sale).
– Anthologies featuring original or translated works of fiction and non-fiction works by one or more Maltese author.
Category 2
Book Translation Pitch Grants (Sample translations)
The Book Translation Pitch Grants assist literary translators in their development as advocates for international literature, by supporting them to pitch samples of their work with an annual budget is €5,000, and a maximum grant of €500 per application. These grants support applications for the translation of:
– Excerpts of Maltese works published in the Maltese or English language in Malta into any other language;
– Excerpts of works originally published in any other language into the Maltese language;
– Excerpts of works originally published in any other language which are going to be pitched through an English language bridge translation.
Grants for Translations into Maltese
The Malta Book Fund Grants for Translations into Maltese provide financial support to Maltese publishers and translators to publish translations of international works of literature and research in the Maltese language, thus expanding the repertoire of available literary works in Maltese and contributing to a vibrant and diverse literary scene in Malta.
The grants for Translation into Maltese supports applications for the publication of the translation into Maltese of works originally published in any other language with an annual allocated budget of €15,000.
The call for applications closes on Friday 24 May at noon.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are encouraged to carefully read the guidelines and regulations of the respective Grants for information on eligibility and the evaluation process before applying.
Applications for the Malta Book Fund are to be signed, scanned and submitted by email to michael.mercieca@gov.mt using the subject line: Malta Book Fund 2023 – application [AND NAME OF APPLICANT].
A pack of four identical printed and signed copies of the full application (including all mandatory documents) must still be mailed to the National Book Council address, and must be sent no later than the closing date specified (date of postmark serves as proof):
Malta Book Fund – National Book Council
Bice Mizzi Vassallo Complex
Arnhem Road
Pembroke PBK177
Contact Us
In case of difficulty, or if you would like to consult us regarding this fund, you can email us on matthew.borg@ktieb.org.mt or call us on +356 27131574 Monday to Friday between 09:00hrs and 16:00hrs.
What happens after you submit your application?
Results notification
The order of classification of applications submitted will be published within eight weeks from the application deadline.
Project implementation
If your application is approved and funded, you will be requested to sign a beneficiaries contract specifying the conditions of the fund, and you will be receiving 50% (fifty per cent) of the amount allocated to the project. Upon completion of the project, the remaining 50% (fifty per cent) will be released following approval by the National Book Council of the final report, and submission and tallying of final invoices and receipts.
Appendix 1 – Application Form