Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award 2025

Posted on: 08 Sep, 2025 Deadline: 30 Nov, 2025

The Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award is the Trust’s most prestigious award.

It recognises the endeavors of world-class researchers and has helped fund critical and important research that has far-reaching impact.

Application Deadline: November 30, 2025
Value: R2.5 million (approx. $135,000)
Study Level: Postgraduate, Masters, PhD, Fellowship
Sponsor: Oppenheimer Memorial Trust
Eligible Country: South Africa and International (with focus on SA-related impact)

Open to scholars of the highest calibre who are engaged in cutting-edge and internationally significant research that has particular application to the advancement of knowledge, teaching, research, and development in South Africa and beyond.
They encourage applications from all disciplines. Over the years, they have awarded excellence in the fields from biochemistry and biology to engineering, history, immunology, mathematics, neuropsychology, philosophy and ethics to zoology.

The award is intended to provide leading academics with the freedom and flexibility to pursue their ideas, and take their thinking to another level. It has a monetary value of R2.5 million.

Only applications or nominations submitted via the application portal will be considered. No incomplete or emailed submissions will be accepted. Shortlisted candidates should be available for interviews in the quarter of 2026. Awards are made at the discretion of the Trustees.