These two funds are vested in the Royal Academy of Arts and since 1970 have been administered by the Incorporated Edwin Austin Abbey Memorial Scholarships (Abbey Awards).

The awards are made to artists who have been commissioned to create temporary or permanent murals for public places or charitable institutions within the UK; artists' requests for funds must be backed by an authority from the institution in question. Alternatively, the commissioning institute may apply to the Fund on behalf of the muralist.

There are no restrictions of age or nationality.

Awards for 2009 have now been made. Requests may be made throughout the year, although decisions for 2010 will not be made until after May 2010. Decisions regarding these awards are made by The Abbey Harris Mural Fund Committee, which at present consists of Peter Brades, Chairman, Julia Farrer, Clyde Hopkins and Paul Huxley.

Artists who have been supported in the past include : Norman Adams, Edward Bawden, David Bratby, Stefan Knapp, Victor Pasmore, Tom Phillips, Leonard Rosomon and Bridget Riley. Works made possible by the funds can be found in many places throughout the country including Lincoln Cathedral, York Minster and many churches, hospitals, schools, universities, theatres, civic centres, sports centres and open spaces. In 2003 awards were made to Bernice Donszelman for a mural at the Royal London Hospital and to Katharina Grosse for a huge temporary mural on the outside walls of the Civic Library in Birmingham, through the Ikon Gallery; in 2004 to James Aldridge for a mural in the new breast cancer wing at Bart's and to Rose Finn-Kelcey for a mural at St Paul's Church Bow Common; and in 2005 to Sara Manzotti for a mural in the children's outpatients corridor at King's College Hospital, London. The 2006 award was given to the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester for a mural in mussel shells by Susie MacMurray and in 2007 an award was made to Westminster Cathedral towards a mosaic designed by Tom Phillips for St George's Chapel. In 2008 Abbey Harris supported a temporary mural called Flora and Fauna by Richard Wood at the Milton Keynes Gallery. The 2009 grant has been made to Vital Arts to support a mural by Oona Culley for the new radiotherapy department at St Bartholomew's Hospital.

The 2010 award has been made to support a mural work by Spencer Finch at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester.

Those interested should contact the administrator of the Abbey Awards.