Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship South Africa 2025

Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship South Africa 2025 – 2026

ABOUT THE COMPANY – OPPENHEIMER MEMORIAL TRUST (OMT)

Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship South Africa | The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) was founded by the late Mr Harry Oppenheimer in 1958, in honour of his father, Sir Ernest. The Trust has been striving to make a positive difference in South African society, by investing in education, public interest activities and other philanthropic causes in the country.

The Trust currently has the following Grants Programmes, Scholarships and Awards available:
Scholarships for undergraduate studies: awarded every year in accordance with the Trusts guidelines and administered by partner organisations.
Scholarships for Local Postgraduate studies: awarded on a merit basis to South Africans for studies towards Master’s, Doctoral or Postdoctoral studies at public universities.
Scholarships for International Postgraduate studies: awarded every year to exceptional students for international studies in unique or highly specialised disciplines, which are not available in South Africa.
Awards for Sabbatical Studies: awarded for studies at public institutions in South Africa, for full-time academics with a record of teaching and research excellence.
The Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award: awarded to candidates of the highest calibre to undertake cutting-edge programmes and internationally significant work.
Grants to Public Benefit Organisations: including grants for early childhood development, basic and higher education, the arts, policy research and advocacy work.

ABOUT THE OMT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES – FIELDS COVERED

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) is inviting students to apply for their scholarship programmes, for the 2023 academic year..

The OMT will be awarding 3 types of scholarships:
1) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate Local Studies: covers postgraduate studies at Master’s, Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels, at public Higher Education Institutions in South Africa.

2) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate International Studies: covers postgraduate studies at Master’s, Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels, 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.

Zabusaries.com is committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the OMT Scholarship.

MORE ABOUT THE OMT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES – COVERAGE VALUE | RENEWAL

The value of the scholarship will depend on the student’s personal circumstances – however, it is NOT a full-cost scholarship and students are required to apply for alternate sources of funding to cover outstanding fees.

Scholarships are awarded for one academic year at a time and renewals are not automatic – they will be renewed based on academic performance and compliance with the OMT’s reporting requirements and re-application procedures.

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

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OMT SCHOLARSHIPS

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

1) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate Local Studies:

You must be a South African citizen 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 in South Africa

2) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate International Studies:

You must be a South African citizen 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 advance which requires the direction of global leaders in your field
You must be studying at an International Higher Education Institution
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 citizen 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 in South Africa
Preference will be given to students with proven records of teaching and research

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE OMT SCHOLARSHIPS

Students may apply by submitting clear copies of the following documentation (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

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 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, a 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 applicant’s 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 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, a 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 applicant’s 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 significant to South Africa; expected outcomes and how you anticipate the work will further current knowledge in the field; potential benefits to your, the community and the countries academy; and position you will take after completing the sabbatical (maximum 500 words, and signed)
Details of the 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 applicant’s name and reference letter as the subject of the email)

Download the OMT Scholarship Guidelines for Sabbatical Studies (.pdf) for further details.
Applications must be submitted via email to (please note that there are different email addresses for each scholarship):

1) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate Local Studies:
Applications must be submitted electronically via email to: localpostgrad@omt.org.za

2) OMT Scholarship for Postgraduate International Studies:
Applications must be submitted electronically via email to: intlpostgrad@omt.org.za

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).

Note: there is no application form to be completed for this bursary application – students need only submit the list of the above documents to apply.

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 the 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.

bursaries

CLOSING DATES FOR THE OMT SCHOLARSHIPS

The following deadlines apply to all of the above scholarships:
30 September 2022 (for studies starting in January to March 2022).
31 January 2023 (for studies starting in April to June 2022).
31 March 2022 (for studies starting in July to October 2022).

(Applications submitted after these dates will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) directly:
Local Scholarship – Email: localpostgrad@omt.org.za
International Scholarship – Email: intlpostgrad@omt.org.za
Sabbatical Scholarship – Email: sabbatical@omt.org.za
ACCOUNTING BURSARIES

ARTS BURSARIES

COMMERCE BURSARIES

COMPUTER SCIENCE | IT BURSARIES

CONSTRUCTION | BUILT ENVIRONMENT BURSARIES

EDUCATION BURSARIES

ENGINEERING BURSARIES

GENERAL BURSARIES

GOVERNMENT BURSARIES

LAW BURSARIES

MBA | POSTGRADUATE

MEDICAL BURSARIES

NURSING BURSARIES

SCIENCE BURSARIES

UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA | UNIVERSITY-SPECIFIC BURSARIES

INTERNATIONAL BURSARIES

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST BURSARY APPLICATION FORMS

NSFAS National Student Financial Aid Schemes

NSFAS: What is NSFAS?

NSFAS, or National Student Financial Aid Scheme, was established according to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act of 1999 and incorporated the Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa (TEFSA), which stopped operating in 2000.