The Abbey Mural Prize supports projects with substantial grants for creating or restoring public murals. The program especially prioritizes projects promoting accessibility and serving local audiences. While traditionally supporting paintings or mosaics on walls, the prize encourages proposals that broaden and expand the definition of contemporary murals. Projects are selected by a jury of National Academicians.

Project proposals must be for sites located within the United States, Tribal Nations, or U.S. territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Projects must have an intended start date before June 30, 2027.