Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006, is the deadline to submit scientific and technical achievements to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for 79th Academy Awards consideration.

In late May, application forms were sent to more than 850 companies and individuals within the sci-tech community both in the United States and abroad.

Any device, method, formula, discovery or invention of special and outstanding value may be considered, according to awards administration director Rich Miller. “The achievement can be a device or a discovery, a formula or a method, but it must demonstrate a proven record of contributing significant value to the process of making motion pictures,” said Miller.

Technical advances submitted to the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee will be evaluated by distinguished engineers, scientists and craftspersons before being recommended to the Academy's Board of Governors for award consideration.

The Academy recognizes scientific and technical achievement on three levels: Technical Achievement Award (a certificate), Scientific and Engineering Award (a plaque) and the Academy Award of Merit (an Oscar statuette).

The 2006 Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2007, at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.

Information and application packets may be obtained by contacting Miller's office via phone at 310-247-3000, ext. 129; by fax at 310-859-9619; via e-mail to scitech@oscars.org or apply online at www.oscars.org/scitech/.