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Publication Support Program (PAP) – Transfer of rights 

Focused on the transfer of rights, the Publication Support Program of the French Institute in Paris (PAP) supports the work and commitment of foreign publishing houses that pursue a policy of publishing titles translated from French, thereby making contemporary French creative work and thought accessible to non-French-speaking audiences.
 

It also serves as a support tool for the cultural programming of French Institutes worldwide and their local partners, complementing the local Publication Support Programs managed by the Book Offices.

Since 1990, all of these programs combined have contributed to the publication of nearly 26,000 titles by French authors in 80 countries.

Who can apply ? 

This program is intended for foreign publishing houses wishing to include in their catalogues—either in translated form or in the original language—texts by French-language authors, initially published in France by a publishing house. Publishing houses seeking to benefit from this support scheme must contact the French cultural network institutions in their country in order to submit their application.

Who selects the applications ? 

The selection committee is composed of experts from the French publishing sector, as well as representatives of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, and the National Book Center.

What are the eligibility and selection criteria ? 

 

This program covers all fields of publishing, with the exception of school textbooks, technical works, and practical guides.

For each application, the selection committee bases its decision on the detailed assessment provided by the cultural network, as well as on the following criteria:

  • The level of risk taken by foreign publishing houses (first translation, the author’s reputation, introduction of a genre that is not yet well established). Priority is given to contemporary authors;
  • The quality of the work and its significance within French intellectual and creative production;
  • The relevance of the translation within local publishing landscapes and markets, and within the framework of a structuring action by the post;
  • The quality of the translation and the translator’s credentials;
    The amount of financial support requested (in relation to the rates usually applied in the relevant market);
  • The profile of the publishing houses (quality of their work, frequency of support requests, number of titles submitted).

For further information, please refer to the program’s official regulations.

Calendar 2026

Two sessions are scheduled for the 2026 edition of the PAP, in March and October.

Session 1:

  • Opening: Friday, December 12, 2025
  • Closing: Friday, February 6, 2026
  • Selection committee: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

For further information, please contact: mediatheque.ifk@gmail.com