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The Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award is the Trust’s most prestigious award.
It recognises the endeavours of world-class researchers and has helped fund critical and important research that has far-reaching impact.

Harry Oppenheimer strongly believed that ideas matter.
And that society can be better served by supporting an academic to pursue their bold ideas . The award was established in 2001 to commemorate his efforts to support human and intellectual development, and to advance scholarship and encourage ideas.

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.

Who We Award

The fellowship is awarded 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.

We encourage applications from all disciplines.
And over the years, have awarded excellence in the fields from biochemistry and biology, to engineering, history, immunology, mathematics, neuropsychology, philosophy and ethics, to zoology.

Meet Our Past Fellows 

2023

Professor Clive Gray

2023

Professor Clive Gray

2022 

Sunil Maharaj

2022 

Sunil Maharaj

2021

Mike Wingfield

2021

Mike Wingfield

2020

Pumla Gobodo Madikizela

2020

Pumla Gobodo Madikizela

2019 

Shabir Ahmed Madhi

2019 

Shabir Ahmed Madhi

2018

Valerie Mizrahi

2018

Valerie Mizrahi

2017

Mark Solms

2017

Mark Solms

2016
Robert Millar

2016
Robert Millar

2016
Lynn Morris

2016
Lynn Morris

2015
Xolela Mangcu

2015
Xolela Mangcu

2015

Brenda Wingfield

2015

Brenda Wingfield

2014
Helen Rees

2014
Helen Rees

2013

Keertan Dheda

2013

Keertan Dheda

2012
Robin Crewe

2012
Robin Crewe

2011
Les Underhill

2011
Les Underhill

2010 
Duncan Mitchell

2010 
Duncan Mitchell

2009 
Jill Farrant

2009 
Jill Farrant

2008
Philippe-Joseph Salazar

2008
Philippe-Joseph Salazar

2007
Winston Hide

2007
Winston Hide

2007
Jeff Guy

2007
Jeff Guy

2006 
Paul Cilliers

2006 
Paul Cilliers

2005
Norman Owen-Smith

2005
Norman Owen-Smith

2004
Igor Barashenkov

2004
Igor Barashenkov

2004 
Frank Brombacher

2004 
Frank Brombacher

2002
Jan-Hendrik Hofmeyr

2002
Jan-Hendrik Hofmeyr

2001
David Glasser

2001
David Glasser

Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Award

We accept nominations from South African Universities, Science Councils, Research & Policy Institutes, and other institutions or agencies of similar national standing. We will also consider applications from individuals who do not have specific institutional affiliations.

Please note
Only applications or nominations submitted via the application portal will be considered. No incomplete or emailed submissions will be accepted. Short-listed candidates should be available for interviews in the first quarter of 2024. Awards are made at the discretion of the Trustees.

Queries: HFO@omt.org.za

2024 submissions closed

Submissions open:
1 July 2023
Deadline for submissions:
31 October 2023  

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