Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship

If you’re a South African postgraduate or researcher planning to pursue Master’s, Doctoral, or Postdoctoral studies in 2026, the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship Programme 2026 is a prestigious opportunity you should explore. It supports academic excellence and research that contribute to South Africa’s development and higher education landscape.

About Oppenheimer Memorial Trust

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) is a South African foundation that awards scholarships and research grants in memory of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer. It focuses on developing academic excellence, innovation, and leadership in higher education and research. Its offerings include postgraduate scholarships and sabbatical study support for scholars and academics.

Scholarship Streams Offered

OMT offers three major grant types:

Masters & Doctoral Scholarships support full-time postgraduate study at recognised institutions locally or internationally.

Postdoctoral Grants are designed for research scholars looking to pursue advanced studies beyond the PhD level.

Sabbatical Study Grants for full-time academics seeking dedicated time and funding to focus on research or serious scholarship at public universities.

Who Is Eligible

To be eligible for the OMT Scholarship Programme:

• Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident
• Demonstrate strong academic excellence
• For Sabbatical awards, full-time academics are eligible; foreign nationals may apply only at the Postdoctoral level.
• Applicants should be committed to contributing to academia, research or development in South Africa.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Partial funding of the scholarship amount varies based on personal circumstances and is rarely full-cost; co‑funding is encouraged.
• Duration corresponds to course level: up to two years for Master’s, three years for PhD, and carefully scoped for postdoctoral or sabbatical projects.
• Renewals depend on academic progress and compliance with reporting requirements.

Required Application Materials

The application must include:

• A signed motivation letter (max 500 words) explaining background, career goals, study plans, and the significance of the research.
• A detailed CV (not more than three or four pages) and recent academic transcripts.
• Proof of registration or university offer, and outlines of the intended study programme or project proposal.
• A budget estimate, showing income and expenses including tuition, living costs, and co-funding sources.
• Three letters of recommendation, submitted confidentially by referees familiar with the applicant’s work.
• For sabbatical applicants: confirmation of academic affiliation and research project details.

Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Application Timeline & Deadlines

For programmes starting between January and June 2026, applications open on 1 June 2025 and close on 28 August 2025.

For programmes commencing mid‑year, typical deadlines are 31 January or 31 March 2025, depending on the intake period.

Applications must be submitted via the official OMT portal only; no email or paper submissions are accepted.

Selection Criteria

OMT awards scholarships based on:

• Academic merit and excellence
• Relevance and originality of the study or research proposal
• Demonstrated commitment to South African academic or development contexts
• Availability of co-funding or alignment with other funding sources.

Award decisions are ultimately made at the discretion of the OMT trustees and are competitive.

Final Thoughts

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Scholarship Programme 2026 is a mark of distinction and a platform for South Africa’s most talented scholars. Whether you seek funding for a Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral research, or a sabbatical project, a successful application could accelerate your contribution to academia, research, and national development.