The final allocation of travel grants for 2025 took place earlier this month. A total of 19 applications were submitted, requesting ISK 4,825,000 in funding, and the allocation committee decided to award ISK 2,900,000 to 10 projects.

Travel grant recipients:

• Misþyrming – European tour – ISK 300,000
• Devine Defilement – European tour – ISK 375,000
• John William Grant – Tour in Spain – ISK 75,000
• ADHD – Tour in Germany and Switzerland – ISK 300,000
• Árstíðir – European tour – ISK 375,000
• Oyama – Concerts in Denmark and Germany – ISK 450,000
• Inspector Spacetime – Eurosonic Noorderslag music festival – ISK 375,000
• Volcanova – Arctic Sounds music festival in Greenland – ISK 400,000
• Eydís Evensen – Nordic Next in New York – ISK 100,000
• Elín Hall – Eurosonic Noorderslag music festival – ISK 150,000

With this allocation, the 2025 funding rounds of the Icelandic Music Fund have concluded. Over the course of the year, the fund awarded a total of ISK 196,528,000 to 223 projects. Of this amount, ISK 77,033,000 was awarded in the fund’s first allocation round in January, and ISK 56,335,000 in the second round in June. The Export Division also awarded travel grants on a bi-monthly basis, totalling ISK 20,650,000, and a further ISK 42,500,000 was awarded to 13 projects holding valid long-term agreements with the fund.

“Recent changes to The Music Fund reflect an important recognition of the need to strengthen the music ecosystem as a whole, as all its parts work together to support and develop Icelandic music,” says María Rut Reynisdóttir, Director of Iceland Music. “The music sector generates significant value — economic, social and cultural — and the funding allocated to the fund is therefore well invested. However, the success rate of applications in 2025 was just 16%, which is far too low and clearly demonstrates the need for increased funding so that more projects can move forward. We warmly congratulate this year’s grant recipients.”

In connection with the funding rounds, Iceland Music hosted educational events about the fund across the country, as well as application-writing workshops.In addition, two celebratory gatherings were held at Iceland Music’s offices, where grant recipients came together to celebrate. It is always a pleasure to welcome musicians into the building and to celebrate the remarkable vitality that characterises our music community. Below are a selection of images from these occasions.

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Photos

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