MUMBAI: The Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has awarded a total of $500,000 to 64 film-related nonprofit organizations – including universities, museums and career development programs – throughout the United States and Canada.

"One of our primary goals is to increase access to professional opportunities in the motion picture industry. These grants will not only support internships, fellowships and workshops, they will also help institutions reach out to the public with film programs and events," said Grants Committee chair Andrew Marlowe.

The Academy Foundation’s Grants Committee selected the following programs for 2009–2010: Internship Programs – $10,000; New York University – Moving Pictures Archive and Preservation Program – $9,500; Institutional Grants – $25,000; FilmAid International (New York City) – Refugee screening program – $20,000 and Inner-City Filmmakers (Los Angeles) – Job training program – $12,500 amongst others.

Since its establishment in 1968, the Academy Foundation has distributed more than 637 institutional grants totaling more than $5.8 million in funding.