The New Colombo Plan Scholarship

Your guide to studying, interning and building experience in the Indo-Pacific

What is the NCP?

The New Colombo Plan Scholarship is an Australian Government initiative supporting undergraduate students to develop their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy through immersive international experience.

Scholarship programs can run for up to 19 months and include:

  • University study

  • Internships

  • Language learning

  • Professional and cultural experience

Student testimonial:

“I was made eligible for the NCP scholarship regarding study abroad. This meant I could apply to a selection of study abroad programs in the Indo-Pacific region”

APPLICATIONS


NCP Scholarship Site

Keep your eye in the scholarship page, keen law students

For the 2027 round, priority destinations include:

  • India

  • Indonesia

  • Vietnam

  • Timor-Leste

Applications to the following countries are STRONGLY encouraged:

  • China

  • Fiji

  • South Korea

  • Malaysia

  • Singapore

  • The Philippines

  • Taiwan

  • Thailand

More info here

Study Abroad

  • Complete parts of your undergraduate degree at an overseas host university

Internships

  • Gain professional experience and build connections within your chosen region

Language Learning

  • Develop cultural understanding, professional networks and deeper knowledge of the Indo-Pacific

Regional Experience

  • Build cultural understanding, professional networks and deeper knowledge of the Indo-Pacific

For the 2027 round, priority Asian languages included: Bahasa Indonesia, Malay, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese

Who is eligible?

  • Be an Australian citizen

  • Be enrolled in an eligible undergraduate degree at an Australian University

  • Remain an undergraduate for the duration of the scholarship

  • Be aged 18-30, or 18-35 for Indigenous applicants

  • Not be a citizen or permanent resident of their proposed host location

  • Not have previously received an NCP scholarship

Steps to apply:


  1. Express your interest through your university

  2. Your university puts forward eligible students

  3. Eligible students are invited to submit an NCP scholarship application

Note: You cannot apply directly to DFAT.

What could your NCP experience include?