Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Postgraduate Scholarship
Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT)
The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust funds Master's, Doctoral and Postdoctoral study for academically excellent scholars intending to pursue careers in academia, research and development in South Africa. Awards are discretionary and may be partial (co-funding), based on a budget submitted by each applicant. Funding is tenable mainly at South African universities, and in exceptional cases internationally for highly specialised disciplines not available locally.
- Amount
- Value is not fixed - awarded at the Trustees' discretion, often on a co-funding (partial) basis, against a budget covering tuition, living costs, travel and books
- Deadline
- To be announced
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ A proven record of academic excellence
- ✓ Intention to pursue a career in academia, research, development or related fields in South Africa
- ✓ South African citizens or permanent residents may apply for Master's and Doctoral scholarships
- ✓ South African citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals may apply for Postdoctoral scholarships
- ✓ For international study, applicant must present specific, purposeful plans for advanced programmes in unique or highly specialised disciplines not readily available in South Africa
- ✓ Applicant must disclose their personal financial position and submit a budget with annual estimates
- ✓ Applications must be submitted via the online application portal (no incomplete or emailed submissions accepted)
What's Included
- ✓ Funding towards postgraduate study costs (tuition fees, living costs, travel, books)
- ✓ Master's scholarships funded for a maximum of 2 years
- ✓ Doctoral (PhD) scholarships funded for a maximum of 3 years
- ✓ Postdoctoral scholarships funded for a maximum of 2 years
- ✓ Funding tenable at South African (local) and, in exceptional cases, international higher education institutions
- ✓ Association with a Trust supporting excellence in higher education, research and development in South Africa
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) bursary application
- 1
Visit omt.org.za/postgraduate-study to review the current scholarship criteria and application windows
- 2
Confirm your programme is eligible (Master's, Doctoral or Postdoctoral) and not an excluded MBA, DBA or narrowly commercial programme
- 3
Register and complete the online application on the OMT portal at omt.smartsimpleuk.com
- 4
Prepare and upload a detailed budget with annual estimates for tuition, living costs, travel and books, and disclose your personal financial position
- 5
Attach your academic record, research proposal/study plan, references and supporting documents
- 6
Submit a complete application before the closing date - incomplete or emailed submissions are not accepted
- 7
Wait for review and a discretionary funding decision by the Trustees
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified ID copy or passport
- 📄 Full academic transcripts and qualification certificates
- 📄 Detailed annual budget (tuition, living costs, travel and books)
- 📄 Disclosure of personal financial position
- 📄 Research proposal or study plan
- 📄 Proof of acceptance or registration at the host institution
- 📄 Academic references
- 📄 Curriculum vitae (CV)
- 📄 Motivational letter
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust scholarship pay?
- There is no fixed amount. Awards are made at the discretion of the Trustees and are not granted on a full-cost basis - they are often co-funding (partial) contributions. You must submit a budget with annual estimates for tuition fees, living costs, travel and books, and the Trustees decide on the level of support.
- Who can apply for OMT Master's, Doctoral and Postdoctoral scholarships?
- South African citizens and permanent residents may apply for Master's and Doctoral scholarships. For Postdoctoral scholarships, South African citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals may all apply. Across all levels, applicants need a proven record of academic excellence and the intention to pursue a career in academia, research or development in South Africa.
- When do OMT applications open and close?
- There are two windows each year. For study commencing July to December 2026, applications open on 6 January 2026 and close on 31 March 2026. For study commencing January to June 2027, applications open on 1 June 2026 and close on 31 August 2026. Only applications submitted via the OMT online portal are considered.
- Can I use the OMT scholarship to study abroad, and what is excluded?
- Funding is mainly tenable at South African universities. International study is only supported in exceptional cases where you present specific, purposeful plans for a highly specialised discipline not readily available in South Africa. MBAs, DBAs and programmes with a narrow or commercial focus are not funded.
When do 2027 applications open?
Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.
The last recorded window closed on 31 March 2026. Treat that as a guide to timing only — confirm the 2027 dates with Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) before you rely on them.
Check Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT)'s official siteNeed help? Contact Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT):
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +27 (0)11 551 9500
Information verified 2026-03-31. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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