Iceland Music calls for applications for the second allocation of Music Fund grants 2025. Application deadline is 15 April 2025 at 15.00.

This is the third allocation of the recently established Music Fund, which has already awarded nearly ISK 195 million in support to around 190 projects as well as ISK 25 million in Travel Grants which are awarded every 2 months.

The Music Fund’s role is to promote Icelandic music according to the Music Act and the regulations of the Music Fund. The fund shall contribute to the promotion of Icelandic musicians and their musical creations both domestically and internationally. 

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The Music Fund provides five types of grants from four departments:

Music Grants – allocated from the original composition and creation and release department. Grants for composing, recording, releasing, and promoting music.

Performance Grants – allocated from the live performance department. ‍ Grants for domestic concerts and related marketing. These grants are awarded directly to musicians or their representatives. If the application concerns a music festival or a concert series organized by a company or association, the Business Grant should be applied for instead.

The purpose of the Performer Grant is to support emerging artists and promote diversity in music, thereby strengthening the local music scene.

Business Grants – allocated from the development and infrastructure department. ‍Grants for music projects such as music festivals, concert venues, business ideas in music, and startup projects. Long-term grants available.

Marketing Grants – allocated from the export department‍. Grants to attract attention abroad.

Travel Grants – allocated from the export department. Grants for travel to seek opportunities abroad. ‍Travel grants are awarded every two months and can be applied for on the Iceland Music website.  

Grants from the Music Fund are awarded for specific projects, typically for a period of 18 months. Operational grants are generally not allocated to organisations / companies / institutions that receive regular operational funding from the state and to projects and events that have already taken place. 

Applications will not be considered if final reports or progress reports have not been submitted to the application system for projects that received funding in 2022 or later. This applies to grants awarded from the "old" Music Fund (Tónlistarsjóður) and Recording Fund (Hljóðritasjóður), but not the Export Fund (Útflutningssjóður). 

Applications, progress- and final reports shall be submitted digitally. 

Iceland Music administrates the Music Fund on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education.

‍Further information and application forms can be found here.

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Workshop - Mastering the Art of the Grant Application

Iceland Music invites musicians and music industry professionals to a grant application workshop with project manager Julie Runge Bendsen.

Julie will share key methods she uses when preparing grant applications. She will cover practical questions and different perspectives to consider during the process, offering participants encouragement and inspiration for their applications.

Julie Runge Bendsen is a freelance project manager specializing in grant applications for the Nordic music sector. She has worked with partners such as Iceland Airwaves, INNI, Lea Kampmann, Source Material, and The Physical Cinema Festival.

Julie has been part of the Icelandic music scene since 2015, starting as an intern at Mengi, where she later became managing director. She also worked at Reykjavík Music City, gaining valuable experience in funding structures through the Venue Improvement Fund and playing a key role in securing substantial EU funding for projects within Reykjavík Music City.

Click here to find out more and sign up >>>

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