Deadline: 28-Aug-2025
Applicants are now invited to submit applications for the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Postgraduate Scholarships for postgraduate study at the Master’s, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral levels at local and international Higher Education Institutions.
These scholarships are given to candidates who have a proven record of academic excellence and intend to pursue careers in academia, research, development, or related fields in South Africa. For international study, only exceptional candidates who present specific and purposeful plans to undertake programs in unique or highly specialized disciplines, or who have advanced to a level where international tuition under the direction of global leaders is appropriate, will be considered. South African citizens or permanent residents may apply for Master’s and Doctoral programs, while South African citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals may apply for Postdoctoral scholarships.
The application must be submitted on the OMT’s online portal, as no emailed documents will be accepted. Applicants must provide an outline of their intended study, including the topic, institution, start date, and duration. For Master’s and Doctoral studies, a brief description of the proposed coursework, fieldwork, and dissertation topic is required, along with a synopsis of the “intellectual problem or idea”. For Postdoctoral study, a brief synopsis of the work program or research plan is needed, articulating the problem statement, key objectives, research methodology, and time frames. The relevance and anticipated significance of the study for South Africa and Africa must be described. Applicants can enter a maximum of three institution choices and must identify their preferred first choice. They must also indicate if they are awaiting formal acceptance into the program.
Applicants must disclose their personal financial position by submitting a budget with annual estimates of costs, including tuition fees (for Master’s and PhD), living costs, travel, and books. Income from all sources, such as savings, family contributions, loans, and other awards, must also be disclosed, with a clear distinction between secured and applied-for funds. Direct research or project-related costs must be disclosed in a separate schedule but will not be covered by OMT. When applying to an international institution, the budget should be entered in the local currency.
A motivation statement of no more than 500 words is required. For Master’s and PhD applicants, it should describe their background, schooling, interests, personal philosophy, values, and career aspirations. Postdoctoral applicants should describe their academic history, what motivated them to follow their research field, the benefits to them personally and the broader community, and their career development and personal aspirations.
For your academic history, you are required to upload all academic transcripts and copies of all degrees and programmes completed or in progress, sending any outstanding ones as they become available. For Masters and Doctoral applicants, you must list any academic awards you have won over your career, such as Dean’s list, class medals, or Golden Key. Postdoctoral applicants are to detail any previous scholarships, awards, postdoctoral fellowships, or research grants won and summarize their research activity, including their publication record, conference presentations, supervision of students, and any keynote lectures delivered.
Applicants must upload an up-to-date CV (not more than three pages), a copy of their South African ID or permanent residence permit or passport, and a recent professional photograph. All academic transcripts and copies of all degrees and programs must be uploaded. For postdoctoral applicants, a summary of research activity, including publication record and conference presentations, is required.
Three reference letters must be uploaded directly by the referees on the application portal. Referees should be familiar with the applicant’s work and study plans. The application will not be considered until at least two referees have completed their forms.
Applications for programs starting between January and June are due on September 30th of the previous year, with the exception that the 2025 closing date is August 28th. Applications for programs starting between July and December are due by March 31st of the same year. Scholarships are limited to a maximum of two years for Master’s study and three years for a PhD. For Postdoctoral study, scholarships are limited to a maximum of two years. OMT does not fund MBAs, DBAs, or other programs that have a narrow and commercial focus. Awards are not granted on a full-cost basis and may vary in value, so candidates are encouraged to actively seek co-funding from other sources.
For more information, visit OMT.
