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 partial (co-funding), based on a budget submitted by each applicant, and are made twice a year. 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 and never on a full-cost basis, against a budget covering tuition, living costs, travel and books. The award is reduced by the value of any other funding you secure.
- Deadline
- Closed 31 August 2026
- 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
- ✓ Not available for a second degree at the same level as one you already hold
- ✓ 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 and all other sources of funding
- ✓ Applications must be submitted via the online application portal (no incomplete or emailed submissions accepted); students part-way through a degree must apply before their next academic year starts
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 check the current application window and read the Masters and Doctoral (or Postdoctoral) guidelines
- 2
Confirm your programme is eligible (Master's, Doctoral or Postdoctoral) and not an excluded MBA, DBA or narrowly commercial programme
- 3
Apply by the deadline for your start date: 31 August of the previous year for study starting January to June, or 31 March of the same year for study starting July to December
- 4
Register and complete the online application on the OMT portal at omt.smartsimpleuk.com
- 5
Enter a detailed budget with annual estimates for tuition, living costs, travel and books, list all other income and funding applications, and disclose your personal financial position
- 6
Upload your CV, ID, academic records, motivation and study details, and ask three referees to submit references on the portal (your application is only considered once at least two are in)
- 7
Wait for review and a discretionary funding decision by the Trustees
Required Documents
- 📄 Outline of the intended study (topic, institution, start date and duration; for a PhD, the problem statement, objectives, methodology and time frames)
- 📄 Budget with annual cost estimates and all income sources, with proof of any funding already secured
- 📄 Motivation statement of no more than 500 words
- 📄 Up-to-date CV of no more than three pages
- 📄 Copy of your South African ID, permanent residence permit or passport (foreign nationals also need a valid visa or permit)
- 📄 Recent professional photograph
- 📄 Academic transcripts and degree certificates for all qualifications completed or in progress
- 📄 Three reference letters, uploaded by your referees directly on the portal
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 co-funding contributions. You submit a budget with annual estimates for tuition fees, living costs, travel and books, and if you secure other funding the OMT award is reduced by that amount.
- 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 a year. For study starting January to June 2027, applications opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 31 August 2026. For study starting July to December, OMT's guidelines set a 31 March deadline in the same year; in 2026 that window opened on 6 January, and the 2027 opening date had not been published as of 12 October 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.
2027 applications have closed
The 2027 application window closed on 31 August 2026.
OMT runs two windows a year: applications for study starting January to June 2027 opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 31 August 2026. Its guidelines set 31 March as the deadline for study starting July to December of the same year; that window opened on 6 January in 2026, and the 2027 opening date had not been published as of 12 October 2026.
Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.
Check Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT)'s official siteNeed help? Contact Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT):
Email: applicationqueries@omt.org.za
Phone: +27 (0)11 551 9500
Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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