Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship

Who can apply

• 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 Masters and Doctoral studies:
• You may be a South African citizen or permanent resident in South Africa
• You must study towards a Master’s or Doctoral level qualification in 2026 / 2027
• You must study at a local or international Higher Education Institution
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must intend to pursue a career in academia, research, development or related fields in South Africa
• International study applicants: you must be an exceptional candidate with specific and purposeful plans to undertake programmes in unique or highly specialised disciplines in which advanced studies are not readily available in South Africa OR you must demonstrate that you have advanced to a level where international tuition under the direction of global leaders in your discipline is appropriate to proceed meaningfully in your chosen field
• You must have downloaded and read the OMT Scholarship for Masters and Doctoral studies (.pdf)
• 2) OMT Scholarship for Postdoctoral studies:
• You may be a South African citizen, permanent resident in South Africa or foreign national
• You must study towards a postdoctoral level qualification in 2026 / 2027
• You must have downloaded and read the OMT Scholarship for Postdoctoral studies (.pdf)
• 3) OMT Scholarship for sabbatical studies:
• You must be a full-time academic undertaking sabbatical study
• You must study at a public Higher Education Institution in South Africa
• Preference is given to applicants with a proven record of teaching and research
• You must have downloaded and read the OMT Scholarship for sabbatical studies (.pdf)

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to Oppenheimer Memorial Trust OMT - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarships South Africa 2026 / 2027

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER - OPPENHEIMER MEMORIAL TRUST (OMT)

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) was founded by 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 to the South African society, by investing in education, public interest activities and other philanthropic causes in the country.

The Trust awards grants to public benefit organisations and institutions, mainly in the education sector. It also supports the arts and a range of civil society organisations engaged in 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 2026 / 2027 academic years.

The OMT will be awarding 3 types of scholarships: 1) OMT Scholarship for Masters and Doctoral studies: covers postgraduate study at local and international Higher Education Institutions at Master’s and Doctoral level.

2) OMT Scholarship for Postdoctoral studies: covers postdoctoral study at local and international Higher Education Institutions.

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

MORE ABOUT THE OMT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES - COVERAGE VALUE & RENEWAL

The value of the scholarship will depend on the students 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.

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 Masters and Doctoral studies:

• You may be a South African citizen or permanent resident in South Africa
• You must study towards a Master’s or Doctoral level qualification in 2026 / 2027
• You must study at a local or international Higher Education Institution
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must intend to pursue a career in academia, research, development or related fields in South Africa
• International study applicants: you must be an exceptional candidate with specific and purposeful plans to undertake programmes in unique or highly specialised disciplines in which advanced studies are not readily available in South Africa OR you must demonstrate that you have advanced to a level where international tuition under the direction of global leaders in your discipline is appropriate to proceed meaningfully in your chosen field
• You must have downloaded and read the OMT Scholarship for Masters and Doctoral studies (.pdf)

2) OMT Scholarship for Postdoctoral studies:

• You may be a South African citizen, permanent resident in South Africa or foreign national
• You must study towards a postdoctoral level qualification in 2026 / 2027
• You must study at a local or international Higher Education Institution
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must intend to pursue a career in academia, research, development or related fields in South Africa
• International study applicants: you must be an exceptional candidate with specific and purposeful plans to undertake programmes in unique or highly specialised disciplines in which advanced studies are not readily available in South Africa OR you must demonstrate that you have advanced to a level where international tuition under the direction of global leaders in your discipline is appropriate to proceed meaningfully in your chosen field
• You must have downloaded and read the OMT Scholarship for Postdoctoral studies (.pdf)

3) OMT Scholarship for sabbatical studies:

• You must be a full-time academic undertaking sabbatical study
• You must study at a public Higher Education Institution in South Africa
• Preference is given to applicants with a proven record of teaching and research
• You must have downloaded and read the OMT Scholarship for sabbatical studies (.pdf)

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE OMT SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications must be submitted online at: Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship Application 2026 / 2027

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the OMT Scholarship.

Applicants are encouraged to download and read the OMT Scholarship Application Guidelines (.pdf) before applying.

Submit clear copies of the following documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory - if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified): 1) OMT Scholarship for Masters and Doctoral studies:

• ID document or permanent residence permit or passport (certified copy)
• Recent professional photograph
• 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, subsistence and other relevant costs)
• 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) your Values, priorities and passions; 3) short to medium term plans and priorities; 4) career goals (maximum 500 words)
• 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 uploaded directly on the application portal by your referees)

2) OMT Scholarship for Postdoctoral studies:

• ID document or permanent residence permit or passport (certified copy)
• Recent professional photograph
• 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, subsistence and other relevant costs)
• 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) your motivation to follow a career in your field of research; 3) perceived benefits to you personally, and to the broader community; 4) career development and personal aspirations (maximum 500 words)
• 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 uploaded directly on the application portal by your referees)

3) OMT Scholarship for sabbatical studies:

• Recent professional photograph (3cm x 4cm)
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages)
• Motivational letter, including the following details: 1) brief background on you, including your academic history; 2) your motivation for following a career in your field of research; 3) the perceived benefits to you personally, and to the broader community; 4) your career development and personal aspirations; 5) position to be filled on completion of the sabbatical (maximum 500 words
• 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, subsistence and other relevant costs)
• 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 uploaded directly on the application portal by your referees)

CLOSING DATES FOR THE OMT SCHOLARSHIPS

The following deadlines apply to all of the above scholarships: 31 March 2026 (for studies commencing in July 2026 to December 2026). 31 August 2026 (for studies commencing in January 2027 to June 2027). (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: Email: applicationqueries@omt.org.za

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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