The Ministry of Education, through Music Export Finland (Musex), has announced a new round of tour support grants for Finnish bands and artists. A total of 150,000 euros was distributed among 15 bands in order to support future international tours. These grants have been given yearly since 2007 and the total amount increased this year from 100,000 euros to 150,000 and they are given to artists that have received significant touring offers abroad. The decision is done by Musex board. Music Export Finland is an export association that represents the Finnish music industry.

The bands that have received the funds are:

Lordi (Lordi Enterprises Oy): 16,000 euros
Sunrise Avenue (Get Nasty Oy): 16,000 euros
The Five Corners Quintet: (Five Spot Oy) 16,000 euros
Le Corps Mince de Françoise (Viva Media Oy): 13,000 euros
Turisas (Last Man Standing Oy): 12,000 euros
Diablo (Sakara-tuotanto Oy): 10,000 euros
Rubik (Fullsteam Records Oy): 10,000 euros
The 69 Eyes (EMI Finland Oy): 10,000 euros
Deep Insight (Helsinki Music Company Oy): 8,000 euros
Amberian Dawn (Frontact Oy): 7,000 euros
Ensiferum (King Foo Entertainment): 7,000 euros
Pintandwefall (GAEA Oy): 7,000 euros
Swallow The Sun (Gloomy Light Productions Oy): 7,000 euros
The Latebirds (Warner/Chappell Music Finland Oy): 7,000 euros
Top Billin (Epic Fail Oy): 4,000 euros

However, the daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat recently reported that some record companies have complained that this distribution of the funds is not fair. They accused Musex of favoring the artists of the record companies represented on the Musex board.