The U.S. Embassy Bishkek Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through the Embassy’s Book Translation Program (BTP).
The BTP focuses on the translation and distribution of American books or books in English that share information on American social, educational, and cultural values in the Kyrgyz language and offers a unique and popular way to connect with Kyrgyz audiences, particularly rural youth, while supporting the growth of the Kyrgyz language across the country. The program helps strengthen relations with local ministries and officials by providing high‐ quality books in Kyrgyz and helps facilitate outreach to Kyrgyz speaking audiences, which is a mission priority.
Program Goal
Increase access to diverse sources of information on themes of civic engagement, economic development and entrepreneurship, environmental/climate issues, and STEM education and digital development in the Kyrgyz language, including recent research, analysis, and popular contemporary literature by American authors and/or about American social, educational, or cultural values, for at least 15,000 Kyrgyz speakers.
Increase access to diverse sources of information on themes of civic engagement, economic development, climate change, and STEM education in the Kyrgyz language for at least 15,000 Kyrgyz speakers.
This may include recent research, analysis, and popular contemporary literature by American authors or literature depicting American social, educational, or cultural values.
Program Objectives
By the end of 2026:
Increase the number of translated works in the Kyrgyz language focused on one of the priority themes listed above.
Increase awareness on the importance of equal opportunity and fair treatment of excluded and marginalized populations through distribution of a minimum of 7,000 copies of contemporary American literature on social issues
Increase participation of at least 500 Kyrgyz speakers on at least one of the priority themes through follow‐on workshops or discussion sessions. For example, a follow‐on workshop for a translation of an environmentally‐focused book could facilitate discussion among students, teachers, NGOs, and government officials to generate ideas for partnership on future ecological and environmental projects.
Increase interest in priority themes for academic or professional pursuits for Kyrgyz speaking readers through distribution of a minimum 7,000 copies.
Increase awareness of USG‐supported programming opportunities, in connection with the following themes as applicable:
STEAM: STEM programs, Maker Space lab activities, inventors’ camps, hackathons, and STEM‐themed exchange programs
Civic Engagement: U.S. government alumni‐led and other U.S. government‐branded grants that promote civic involvement on environmental issues and/or opportunities for skills development related to online technologies and business growth.
Priority Themes
FY2024 proposals may include fiction or nonfiction titles and must focus on one or more of the following themes:
Civic Engagement: Books that raise awareness of the importance of civic engagement and getting involved in activities that can improve the quality of life and living conditions for residents of local, and especially rural, communities.
Economic Development and Entrepreneurship: Books that promote economic independence, business empowerment, and sustainable development, ideally targeted towards marginalized groups, underrepresented groups, and vulnerable populations
Environmental/Climate Issues: Books that are primarily focused on raising awareness of challenges associated with air quality in the region, the need to protect the environment, and strategies for adapting to the effects of climate change.
STEM Education and Digital Development: Includes books that support education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and encourage greater digital literacy when accessing online information and technologies.
Funding Information
Estimated Award Ceiling: $45,000
Estimated Award Floor: $30,000
Length of Project Period: 24 months
Number of Awards Anticipated: Up to 3 awards (pending availability of funds)
Anticipated Program Start Date: August 2024
Priority Audience
Kyrgyz‐language speaking youth aged 13‐20, including underrepresented or marginalized groups, whose access to information and diverse perspectives is limited by the scarcity of Kyrgyz translations of international publications.
Educators and librarians working with secondary students.
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
Publishing houses
Academic institutions
Not‐for‐profit organizations
Previous grant experience should be documented in the organization’s proposal. Organizations should submit a copy of their certificate of registration from the appropriate government organization such as the Ministry of Justice in the Kyrgyz Republic. Current BTP grantees may only apply if they are in the second phase of their current project.
For this announcement, only organizations based in the Kyrgyz Republic are eligible to apply. Organizations must be headquartered in the Kyrgyz Republic to be eligible.
