In 2010, the Goethe-Institut New York received a generous donation in memory of Frederick and Grace Gutekunst. A prize was created to identify outstanding young translators of German literature into English and assist them in establishing contact with the translation and publishing communities. The prize has been supported by the Friends of Goethe New York since 2017.
The Gutekunst Prize of the Friends of Goethe New York is open to college students and to all translators under the age of 35 who, at the time the prize is awarded, have not yet published, nor are under contract for, a book-length translation. Each applicant is required to translate a literary text of approximately 15 pages. Submitted translations are evaluated by a jury consisting of three experts in German literature and translation.
The prize comes with a purse of $2,500.
The Gutekunst Prize of the Friends of Goethe New York is open to college students and to all translators under the age of 35 who, at the time the prize is awarded, have not yet published, nor are under contract for, a book-length translation. The application period for the 2025 prize is now open through January 31, 2025.
