First Prize: $10,000 USD

Second Prize: $6,000 USD

Eligibility: Composers residing in the United States, age 18-26 on the deadline for submission, September 1, 2026. Previous winners, as well as faculty and staff of the University of Louisville and their spouses and children are not eligible to enter. Current and former students of the University of Louisville and their spouses are not eligible to enter.

The University of Louisville School of Music will seek out opportunities to perform the winning works, but such performances are not guaranteed. In the event of a performance, the Award Committee will underwrite the composer’s expenses (travel, lodging, and meals) to Louisville to attend rehearsals and the performance. The winning composers agree to give a presentation about their music to the Composition Seminar and engage in other similar activities while in Louisville.

This Award was established by a generous bequest from the estate of Frank Robert Abell, a longtime Louisville philanthropist with close ties to the University of Louisville School of Music. He had a deep love for contemporary music and a strong desire to help younger composers.