Key Facts
- Status
- Applications Closed
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Application Closes
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Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizen or permanent resident (Master's/Doctoral); foreign nationals may qualify for Postdoctoral study
- Proven record of academic excellence
- Intending to pursue a career in academia, research, development, or a related field
- Excludes MBAs, DBAs, and programmes with a narrow commercial focus
- Sabbatical applicants: full-time academics at a public South African Higher Education Institution
Documents Needed
- Certified ID, passport, or residence permit
- Recent professional photograph
- Curriculum Vitae (CV), maximum 3-4 pages
- Full academic transcripts and certified degree certificates
- Proof of acceptance or registration
- Budget plan covering tuition, living costs, and research costs
- Motivational letter, maximum 500 words
- Three letters of recommendation, uploaded directly by referees
About Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Omt Scholarship
The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) funds postgraduate and academic scholarships across three categories: Master's and Doctoral study, postdoctoral research, and sabbatical study for academics. Unlike most bursaries on this site, OMT doesn't fund undergraduate study at all - its focus is entirely on developing South Africa's research and academic capacity at the postgraduate level and beyond.
Because OMT funding doesn't cover the full cost of study, recipients typically need to combine it with other funding sources - the Trust treats its scholarship as a meaningful contribution rather than the sole source of support for a student's postgraduate journey.
Funding Details
Scholarships are awarded one academic year at a time and don't cover the full cost of study - you'll likely need to apply for additional funding to cover any outstanding fees. Renewal depends on academic performance and compliance with the Trust's reporting requirements.
Where You Can Study
OMT funds study at local and international Higher Education Institutions for the Master's, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral categories, while Sabbatical Studies are limited to full-time academics at public Higher Education Institutions within South Africa.
About Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust
The Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust is a South African trust that funds postgraduate study and research, established in honour of the mining magnate and former Anglo American chairman Ernest Oppenheimer. The trust supp…
View full provider profile →- Address
- Ground Floor, The Reserve, 54 Melville Road, Illovo, Johannesburg, 2196
- Phone
- 011 551 9502
Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
For Master's and Doctoral study, you generally need to be a South African citizen or permanent resident with a proven record of academic excellence, intending to pursue a career in academia, research, or a related field. Postdoctoral applicants may include foreign nationals. MBAs, DBAs, and programmes with a narrow commercial focus are excluded from OMT's postgraduate guidance.
Because renewal isn't automatic, ongoing funding depends on your academic performance and reporting compliance each year, not just your initial application.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
Applications for this cycle have closed. Check the provider's site for the next intake.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does OMT fund undergraduate study?
No - OMT only funds Master's, Doctoral, Postdoctoral, and Sabbatical study, not undergraduate degrees.
Does the scholarship cover my full costs?
No - awards don't cover full costs, so most recipients need to combine OMT funding with other sources.
Can I study outside South Africa?
Yes - Master's, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral funding covers study at local and international institutions.
Are MBAs covered?
No - OMT's postgraduate guidance specifically excludes MBAs, DBAs, and programmes with a narrow commercial focus.
Is renewal automatic?
No - renewal depends on your academic performance, reporting compliance, and re-application each year.
Who can apply for Sabbatical Studies?
Full-time academics undertaking sabbatical study at public Higher Education Institutions in South Africa.
How do I apply?
Online through the OMT Scholarship Application Portal - read the Scholarship Application Guidelines first.
When does the application window run?
Opens 1 June 2026 and closes 31 August 2026, for studies beginning between January and June 2027.
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