The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) grants to support scholarship at public Higher Education Institutions in South Africa

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) grants to support scholarship at public Higher Education Institutions in South Africa

DEADLINE: 31 March 2025 

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) awards a limited number of grants annually to support scholarship at public Higher Education Institutions in South Africa. These awards are intended specifically for full-time academics undertaking sabbatical study and preference is given to candidates with proven records of teaching and research.

Your application must be submitted on the applications portal, and no emailed documents will be accepted by the Trust. Please contact applicationqueries@omt.org.za if you have any queries.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION

1. Intended study
   1. An outline of the intended research programme:
      1. Please clearly indicate the topic, institution, start date and duration of the programme
      2. Significance of intended study: Please describe the relevance and anticipated significance (for South Africa and Africa) of the study, how the work will extend current knowledge on the topic, and its perceived benefits to the South African and academy
      3. A brief synopsis of the work programme or research plan: Please articulate the problem statement, key objectives, intended outputs, research methodology and time frames
      4. The names and locations of host institutions, locally and/or abroad: Please comment on the reputation or academic standing of the host institution, research team to be joined or collaborator and include names and designations; any applicable access to the host institution’s resources (laboratories, technology/equipment, libraries, etc)
      5. Confirmation of offers of appointment and institutional support where “visiting status” (or similar) is granted
      6. Please note, where more than one institution has been applied to, please enter another record in the study choice table (you are allowed a maximum of 3 choices) and identify which institution is your preferred first choice. Applicants are required to submit one application in this case
2. Budget/s

Applicants must disclose their personal financial position and submit a budget indicating: Annual estimates of costs for the duration of the period of study including:

• Living costs
• Travel (including flights, visas, health surcharges, etc)
• Books and subsistence
• Other relevant costs Income from all sources including:
• Savings
• Family contributions
• Loans
• Secured scholarships / bursaries / other awards
• Estimates of income from part-time work or assistantships

1. Please distinguish clearly between funds that have already been secured (upload supporting documentation) and funding applied for but not yet approved or confirmed
2. Candidates are encouraged to be realistic with their costs as budget amendments are not permitted after an award has been granted
3. When applying to an international institution, please enter the budget in the local currency. The budget

table will automatically translate into ZAR when the “save draft” button is clicked

2. Motivation

A statement (not more than 500 words) that describes:

1. Brief background, including your academic history
2. What motivated you to follow 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

3. Personal information

Navigate to the “Personal Information” tab in the main grant section. We request that you fill out all personal

information contained in that section to ensure our records are up to date. Please upload the following:

1. An up-to-date CV (not more than three pages) that includes:

1. A synopsis of your top 2 or 3 publications
2. A listing of all publications, notably in peer-reviewed journals (as an annexure)

2. A recent professional photograph (3x4cm)
3. Please fill in details regarding:

1. Research & publications, supervision of students and academic positions history Please summarise the below:
   • Publication record (local/international)
   • Conference presentations
   • Supervision of students, including those in progress (number and level)
   • Academic positions held
2. Academic and research awards history
3. Please detail (award, year and amount) any previous scholarships, awards, postdoctoral fellowships, or research grants won
4. NRF rating (if applicable)

4. Letters of recommendation

Three (3) reference letters to be uploaded directly on the application portal by your referees.

Referees must be familiar with the applicant’s current work and study plans and well-placed to attest to the

candidate’s academic achievements.Please note, your application cannot be considered until at least 2 referees have completed their reference forms. Please follow up with your referees directly before the submission closing date

NOTES

1. Applications must be submitted according to the following start dates:

1. Start Date: January to June – applications due 30 September of the previous year
2. Start Date: July to December – applications due by the 31 March in the same year

2. Applicants must update the Trust on the outcomes of their requests to other potential funders listed in the budget estimates that formed part of their submission to OMT.
3. If other funding applications are successful, this will result in the value of the OMT award to be reduced by the value of the applicable co-funding
4. Value of Awards: Awards may vary in value as partial contributions towards the overall costs and are determined on a merit basis at the discretion of the Trust. Candidates are encouraged to actively seek out co-funding from other sources including their host institutions and must declare all applications made to other funders to OMT
5. Awards are determined on a merit basis at the discretion of the Trustees.
6. Failure to comply with the Trust’s requirements and procedures – including the requirement to submit updates on any and all developments – will result in disqualification. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted

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