Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship 2024 – Apply Now

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust scholarship 2024 is now open for applications. This one-year scholarship is targeted at South African students studying towards a Master’s or Doctoral level qualification in 2024.

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) was founded by the late Mr Harry Oppenheimer in 1958, in honour of his father, Sir Ernest as a man committed to the common good. Since 2014, the trust has expanded education-focused funding to include basic education and early childhood development in South Africa. The Trust awards grants to public benefit organisations and institutions, mainly in the education sector. It also supports the arts and various civil society organisations engaged in policy research and advocacy work.

About The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship

OMT awards a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate study at the Master’s, Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels. Scholarships are given to candidates with a proven record of academic excellence who intend to pursue careers in academia, research, development or related fields in South Africa. Preference may be given to students pursuing studies at local universities.

The OMT 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. This isn’t a full-cost scholarship and its value is dependent on the recipient’s circumstances.

The trust will be awarding three types of scholarships:

1. OMT Scholarship for Masters and Doctoral studies: This covers postgraduate study at local and international Higher Education Institutions at the Master’s and Doctoral levels.
2. OMT Scholarship for Postdoctoral Studies: This covers postdoctoral study at local and international Higher Education Institutions.
3. OMT Scholarship for sabbatical studies: This covers studies at public Higher Education Institutions in South Africa, for full-time academics undertaking sabbatical study.

Note that only exceptional candidates, who present specific and purposeful plans for advanced programmes in unique or highly specialised disciplines not readily available in South Africa, will be considered for international scholarships.

How to Be Eligible for the OMT Scholarships

For a student/applicant to be eligible for the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust scholarship, he/she has to meet the following requirements (depending on the type of scholarship you are applying for):

OMT Scholarship for Masters and Doctoral Studies:

• You may be a South African citizen or permanent resident of South Africa
• You must study towards a Master’s or Doctoral level qualification in 2024
• 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
• For International Study: 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

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 2024
• 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
• For International Study: 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

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

How to Apply for the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship

If you have decided on which scholarship you want to apply for, visit the application portal, click the register button, register your profile, then go back to the login page and log into the portal with your new details.

• To start an application, go to the Open Calls shortcut and click on the “Apply Now” button of the available call if you want to apply
• After you click on the Start button, you will see the application form that you should complete
• Please click on Save Draft to start your application and complete the mandatory questions
• Please save each page as you complete it. This way you can logout and return to your application at any time

Download and read the application’s “how-to’ guide for more information on how to complete your application. You will be required to submit the following supporting documents during the application:

• Certified copy of your ID document or permanent residence permit or passport
• Recent professional photograph
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)
• Academic transcripts for all degrees and programmes completed or currently in progress
• Certified copy of your degree certificates
• Proof of acceptance or registration (on institution 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)

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 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, 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

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Scholarship 2024 will close its applications on the following dates:

• For studies commencing in July to December 2024 – 31st March 2024
• For studies commencing in January to June 2025 – 30th September 2024

Any application sent in after the following dates for any of the scholarships will not be accepted so make sure you apply on time.