The Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding has, in just over a decade, become far more than a prize: it is a decisive instrument of cultural diplomacy and scholarly renewal.
This year’s 11th edition, with participants drawn from 32 countries and categories spanning five languages, underlines the Award’s international footprint and its commitment to linguistic diversity. That breadth matters: when Arabic works reach German, Turkish, Albanian, Thai or English readers (and vice versa), intellectual traditions and discourse are enriched. The Award does not only reward individual excellence; it creates incentives for publishers and universities to invest in translations that expand the horizons of scholarship and public debate.
For the 12th edition in 2026, the award has selected English and Chinese language in the Single Book Category. The total prize amount in this category is $200,000, distributed among the top three winners in each translation direction: from Arabic and into Arabic. In the Achievement Category, which honors distinguished career paths and cumulative efforts in the field of translation, whether by individuals or institutions, five languages have been selected: Italian, Azerbaijani, Fula (Fulani), in addition to English and Chinese. One prize of $100,000 will be awarded for each language.
Arabic, as a global language, is a beacon of culture, science, and knowledge. It has had profound influence on several languages and cultures around the world. Translation from and into Arabic opens new vistas of knowledge to humanity.
Crucially, the Award links local cultural revival to global networks. Partnerships with bodies such as Unesco amplify its capacity to strengthen knowledge production and dissemination.
The Sheikh Hamad Award celebrates excellence, raises professional standards, and — most importantly — keeps conversation possible between peoples. In a world riven by conflicts, that is a service of enduring public value.
