Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Postgraduate Scholarship

1. 1

   Visit omt.org.za/postgraduate-study to review the current scholarship criteria and application windows

2. 2

   Confirm your programme is eligible (Master's, Doctoral or Postdoctoral) and not an excluded MBA, DBA or narrowly commercial programme

3. 3

   Register and complete the online application on the OMT portal at omt.smartsimpleuk.com

4. 4

   Prepare and upload a detailed budget with annual estimates for tuition, living costs, travel and books, and disclose your personal financial position

5. 5

   Attach your academic record, research proposal/study plan, references and supporting documents

6. 6

   Submit a complete application before the closing date - incomplete or emailed submissions are not accepted

7. 7

   Wait for review and a discretionary funding decision by the Trustees

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.