The Czech Literary Centre (CLC), a section of the Moravian Library in Brno (ML), announces its programme for the support of Czech authors travelling to literary events in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland (festivals, readings, book launches, lectures, debates etc.) in connection with the preparation for the presentation of Czech literature as part of the CZECHIA guest of honour country program at the Frankfurter Buchmesse 2026 (more here) and during the accompanying Year of Czech Culture in German-speaking countries. An amount of 1 500 000 CZK is allocated for these events. The applicant can be an event organizer¹The event organiser can be an individual (e.g. a translator, an university staff member / lecturer / student), a literary festival, a publishing house or another cultural institution. or Czech author²The author is a writer of prose, children’s and young adult literature, poetry, non-fiction and other genres, as well as an illustrator, author of artist’s books and comics. This also includes also translators who wish to attend book fairs to promote contemporary Czech literature., or translator from Czech language.

Authors and translators from Czech language can also apply for support for trips related to their professional development (visits to fairs, festivals, and other cultural events, or professional meetings with foreign publishers, translators, literary agents, or other cultural institutions).

Application deadlines for 2025 and 2026:

• 31. 5. 2025 (for the period from 1. 10. 2025 to 15. 12. 2025)
• 31. 10. 2025 (for the period from 1. 1. 2026 to 30. 4. 2026)
• 31. 3. 2026 (for the period from 1. 5. 2026 to 31. 8. 2026)
• 31. 5. 2026 (for the period from 1. 9. 2026 to 15. 12. 2026)

These grants are intended for authors and illustrators. Other literary professionals can apply for travel grants from the Arts and Theatre Institute.

The allocation and amount of support is recommended by the travel committee of the Czech Literary Centre.

For event organizers:

Support can be applied for:

• appearance fees for Czech authors, translators and/or interpreters
• accommodation, travel expenses and meal allowances for Czech authors and translators

Other costs associated with the implementation of the event abroad (rental of premises, organizational and technical support of the event, moderation, promotion, travel, meal allowances and accommodation for the interpreter or moderator) are covered by the organizer.

If the organizer is awarded support, they can receive 40% of the awarded amount before the event (based on an invoice and a copy of promotional materials/a website screenshot or other proof that the author will be taking part in the event) and 60% after the event on the basis of a final report (the rules for the contents of this document will be set by the Moravian Library in a contract with the organizer), or they can receive 100% of the awarded amount after the event on the basis of a final report (the rules for the contents of this document will be set by the Moravian Library in a contract with the organizer). The advance payment cannot be claimed for events taking place in January and cannot be paid in 2025.

The application form in English language is available HERE.

For authors / translators:

Support can be applied for:

• appearance fees for Czech authors (only for public events)
• travel expenses, accommodation and meal allowances for Czech authors / translators

The event organizer must agree to include the logo of the Czech Literary Centre in its print and promotional materials, the author must prove this agreement when submitting the application. The author must also include an invitation letter from the event organizer in their application.

The author will be reimbursed 100% of the granted support after the event on the basis of the final report (the rules for the content of this document will be specified by the Moravian Library in the contract with the author) and copies of travel documents specified in the contract with the author.

The application form for Czech authors is available HERE.

Other conditions are stated in the application form, which is an integral part of the application procedure, and are binding for applicants. By submitting the application, the applicant consents to have the level of allocated financial support published on the Czech Literary Centre website. The events can take place after a co-organization contract between the Moravian Library and the applicant has been signed.

Applications are evaluated by the CLC travel committee.

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1 The event organiser can be an individual (e.g. a translator, an university staff member / lecturer / student), a literary festival, a publishing house or another cultural institution.

2 The author is a writer of prose, children’s and young adult literature, poetry, non-fiction and other genres, as well as an illustrator, author of artist’s books and comics. This also includes also translators who wish to attend book fairs to promote contemporary Czech literature.

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