A scholarship named in Heath Ledger's honour will give an Australian actor a shot at making it big in Hollywood.
Los Angeles-based entertainment organisation, Australians in Film (AIF), and Ledger's family unveiled details of the Heath Ledger Scholarship on Thursday.
"As a result of this scholarship, a talented Australian actor will gain valuable assistance to support their personal goals and an opportunity for recognition in the very tough US film industry," Ledger's father, Kim Ledger, said.
The scholarship is open to Australian citizens with "initiative and exceptional talent" and an "ability to convert ambitions to reality".
It will help fund the actor's tilt at a Hollywood career and open up doors to agents, managers, casting agents and other movie industry leaders in Los Angeles.
The selected actor must be aged over 18 years and be in the early stages of his or her career.
The winner will receive $US10,000 ($A12,017) plus a return airfare to LA from Australia.
Australian director Gregor Jordan, who cast Ledger in 2003's Ned Kelly and is slated to direct Samuel L Jackson in the upcoming thriller Unthinkable, has agreed to be on the scholarship's five person judging panel.
Jordan knows the emotional and financial toll young Australians endure when they attempt to make it in Hollywood.
"Broke Aussie actors in LA form a tradition that goes all the way back to Errol Flynn," Jordan said.
"Heath was definitely part of that tradition and this scholarship is something he would have been proud to have his name associated with."
AIF president Susie Dobson said applications will be accepted from October 1 through to November 28, 2008, with the first beneficiary expected to be announced in February 2009.
Application forms and complete scholarship guidelines are available on www.australiansinfilm.org.
Ledger, 28, died from an accidental prescription drug overdose in Manhattan in January.
The Oscar nominated Perth-born actor was an AIF ambassador, along with Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe, Geoffrey Rush, Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman and 30 other internationally known Australian stars.
AIF was founded in Los Angeles in 2001, has 500 members, and celebrates and supports the work of Australian film and TV makers.