Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) has opened its 2025/2026 Bursary program and is inviting all qualified people to apply ASAP. All interested applicants should apply using the details below.

CLOSING DATE: 30 September 2025/2026 (for studies starting in January to March 2025/2026).
31 January 2025/2026 (for studies starting in April to June 2025/2026).
31 March 2025/2026 (for studies starting in July to October 2025/2026).

BURSARY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet the following entry criteria before applying

1) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate Local Studies:

• You must be a South African citizens OR a permanent resident in South Africa (foreign nationals may also apply, but only for Postdoctoral programmes)
• You must be studying towards a postgraduate qualification (at Master’s, Doctoral or Postdoctoral level) (MBAs, DBAs and other programmes will NOT be funded)
• You must be studying towards your first postgraduate qualification at the level you are applying for funding for (you must NOT apply if you already hold a degree at the same level)
• You must be studying at a public Higher Education Institution within South Africa

2) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate International Studies:

• You must be a South African citizens OR a permanent resident in South Africa (foreign nationals may also apply, but only for Postdoctoral programmes)
• You must be studying towards a postgraduate qualification (at Master’s, Doctoral or Postdoctoral level) (MBAs, DBAs and other programmes will NOT be funded)
• You must be studying towards your first postgraduate qualification at the level you are applying for funding for (you must NOT apply if you already hold a degree at the same level)
• You must intend on studying towards a discipline in which advanced studies are not available in South Africa or prove that you have reached an advanced which requires the direction of global leaders in your field
• You must be studying at an International Higher Education Institutions
• You must have an excellent academic record
• You must intend on following a career in research, academia, development or related fields in South Africa

3) OMT Scholarship for Sabbatical Studies:

• You must be a South African citizens OR a permanent resident in South Africa (foreign nationals may also apply, but only for Postdoctoral programmes)
• You must be a full-time academic, undertaking sabbatical study
• You must be studying at a public Higher Education Institution within South Africa
• Preference will be given to students with proven records of teaching and research

BURSARY COVERAGE

The OMT will be awarding funding for 3 types of scholarships:

1) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate Local Studies: covers postgraduate studies at Master’s, Doctoral and Postdoctoral level, at public Higher Education Institutions in South Africa.

2) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate International Studies: covers postgraduate studies at Master’s, Doctoral and Postdoctoral level, at International Higher Education Institutions. Available to students with an excellent academic record who wish to follow a career in research, academia, development or related fields in South Africa.

3) OMT Scholarship for Sabbatical Studies: covers full-time academics undertaking sabbatical study, studying at public Higher Education Institutions in South Africa.

The OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate Local and International Studies: the maximum duration of funding varies according to the level of study:

• Masters students may receive up to a maximum of 2 years of funding (exceptions can be made for Master’s students who are upgrading to PhD studies)
• Postdoctoral students may receive up to a maximum of 2 years of funding
• PhD students may receive up to a maximum of 3 years of funding

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Students who meet the eligibility criteria, may apply for the OMT scholarship by submitting clear copies of the following documentation (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be diqualified):

1) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate Local Studies:

• ID document or permanent residence permit (certified copy)
• Recent photograph (3cm x 4cm)
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)
• Academic transcripts for all all degrees and programmes completed or currently in progress
• Degree certificates (certified copies)
• Proof of acceptance or registration (on institutions letterhead)
• Details of intended study, including: degree, programme of study, chosen institution, period of study etc
• Research or project-related costs and any corresponding funding
• Budget, including: estimated annual expenses for studies (tuition fees, living costs, travel, books etc) (to be recorded on the OMT Study Budget template (.xlsx))
• Details of funding applied for but not yet approved
• Motivational letter, including the following details: 1) personal background, schooling, general interests and personal philosophy; 2) short to medium term plans and priorities; 3) career goals (maximum 500 words, and signed)
• Proof of income
• 3 letters of recommendation, by referees who are familiar with your current work and study plans and can attest to your academic achievements (to be submitted via email to localpostgrad@omt.org.za, with the applicants name and reference letter as the subject of the email)

Download the OMT Scholarship Guidelines for Postgraduate Local Studies (.pdf) for further details.
 

2) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate International Studies:

• ID document or permanent residence permit (certified copy)
• Recent photograph (3cm x 4cm)
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)
• Academic transcripts for all all degrees and programmes completed or currently in progress
• Degree certificates (certified copies)
• Proof of acceptance or registration (on institutions letterhead)
• Details of intended study, including: degree, programme of study, chosen institution, period of study etc
• Research or project-related costs and any corresponding funding
• Budget, including: estimated annual expenses for studies (tuition fees, living costs, travel, books etc) (to be recorded on the OMT Study Budget template (.xlsx))
• Details of funding applied for but not yet approved
• Motivational letter, including the following details: 1) personal background, schooling, general interests and personal philosophy; 2) short to medium term plans and priorities; 3) career goals (maximum 500 words, and signed)
• Proof of income
• 3 letters of recommendation, by referees who are familiar with your current work and study plans and can attest to your academic achievements (to be submitted via email to intlpostgrad@omt.org.za, with the applicants name and reference letter as the subject of the email)

Download the OMT Scholarship Guidelines for Postgraduate International Studies (.pdf) for further details.
 

3) OMT Scholarship for Sabbatical Studies:

• Recent photograph (3cm x 4cm)
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages)
• Motivational letter, including the following details: why you chose your programme of work; how your field of study is relevant and significance to South Africa; expected outcomes and how you anticipate the work will further current knowledge in the field; potential benefits to you, the community and the countries academy; and position you will take after completing the sabbatical (maximum 500 words, and signed)
• Details of intended study
• Proof of confirmation or offer letters (formal invitations, confirmation from your University for the Sabbatical or offer letters from relevant collaborators)
• Budget, including: estimated annual expenses for studies (tuition fees, living costs, travel, books etc) (to be recorded on the OMT Study Budget template (.xlsx))
• Details of funding applied for but not yet approved
• Proof of income
• Synopsis of your best 2 or 3 publications
• 3 letters of recommendation, by referees who are familiar with your current work and study plans and can attest to your academic achievements (to be submitted via email to sabbatical@omt.org.za, with the applicants name and reference letter as the subject of the email)

Download the OMT Scholarship Guidelines for Sabbatical Studies (.pdf) for further details.
 

Please ensure that you submit your application to the correct email address, per the scholarship you wish to apply for:

1) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate Local Studies:
Applications must be submitted electronically via email to: localpostgrad@omt.org.za
(Insert the words “OMT Scholarship Application – Your Full Name” in the email subject line).

2) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate International Studies:
Applications must be submitted electronically via email to: intlpostgrad@omt.org.za
(Insert the words “OMT Scholarship Application – Your Full Name” in the email subject line).

3) OMT Scholarship for Sabbatical Studies:
Applications must be submitted electronically via email to: sabbatical@omt.org.za
(Insert the words “OMT Scholarship Application – Your Full Name” in the email subject line).

Please note: if you submit your application in 2 emails (due to the documents being too large to fit in 1 email), please note this in your email application.
 

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE OMT SCHOLARSHIPS

• Applicants must inform the OMT about all applications made for other funding, bursaries or scholarships.
• Applicants must inform the OMT about outcomes of other funding requests as listed on their budget.
• The scholarship will be awarded at the discretion of the Trustees, based on merit.
• Candidates who do not comply with the OMT’s requirements and procedures will be disqualified.
• Candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application within 2 to 3 months after the closing date.