For the first time, the SALT Project’s travel grant program will be open to both publishers and translators of literature from South Asian languages into English. This program allows publishers and translators to make connections in South Asian literary markets and/or complete research for a specific translation project.
For 2026, SALT will be awarding eight travel grants of $1,600 for travel to South Asia. South Asia, for the purposes of this project, includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. However, for this round, publishers will not be allowed to travel exclusively to India. Applicants must currently reside outside of South Asia.
If you are a publisher who would like to travel to any South Asian country EXCEPT for India (unless India is one stop on a multi-country tour), we invite you to apply by submitting a one-page statement making the case for any research or development activities you plan, and summarizing how these activities will further SALT’s goals. Possibilities could include meeting with local publishers, scouting for local authors at book festivals, or doing a big bookshop tour. Please send your application to saltproject@uchicago.edu with the subject line “publisher travel grant application,” between 1 September and 30 September 2025.
If you are a translator who would like to travel to any South Asian country (including India), we invite you to apply by submitting three documents:
- a one-page description of your translation project, including detailed information on why it is essential for you to travel to where you’re proposing;
- a letter from the rights holder of your project stating that the English-language rights are available;
- a sample translation of no more than 1,000 words, including the corresponding source-language text.
Please send your application to saltproject@uchicago.edu with the subject line “translator travel grant application,” between 1 September and 30 September 2025.
Important dates
1 September 2025 First day to submit an application
30 September 2025 Last day to submit an application
15 October 2025 Awards announced
15 October 2026 Travel to be completed by this date
Considerations
SALT’s intention is to support a broad range of diverse publishing activity. In addition to the individual merits of the applications, SALT may weigh characteristics such as (for example) range of geography or genre when allocating the eight grants.
Fulfilling the terms of the grant
Grant awardees must complete their planned activities by 15 October 2026. Reports are due within one month of completion.
Once they have completed their travels and their reports, publishers will be offered additional funds (up to $800) in order to commission reader reports.
Questions?
Please write to saltproject@uchicago.edu, subject line “travel grant question.”