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An NCP scholarship provides recipients with:

• Travel allowance – up to $3,000 (paid in two installments: $1,500 before departure and $1,500 upon return)
• Establishment allowance – up to $3,000 to assist with initial expenses such as accommodation, textbooks, and study materials
• Monthly stipend – up to $3,000 per month to contribute to basic living costs
• Mental health allowance – up to $3,000 for professional mental health services accessed while on the program
• Tuition fees – up to $15,000 per semester or $10,000 per trimester, paid directly to the host institution
• Support for language training – up to $10,000 for face-to-face language study with a recognised provider
• Health and travel insurance – provided for the duration of the scholar’s program
• A dedicated case manager – who offers pre-departure briefings, guidance on health and travel insurance, assistance with payments, and ongoing program support
• Opportunities for private sector sponsorship – which may provide additional funding and professional connections

In total, students may receive up to $107,000 to undertake credit-bearing studies, internships, and language training in eligible Indo-Pacific locations for a period of 3 to 19 months. The final scholarship amount varies based on the scholar’s specific program and location.

Disclaimer The amounts listed above are for the 2025 round of the NCP Scholarship and may be subject to change. For more details on the NCP Scholarship Program, including program guidelines and FAQs, visit the .

Enrich your education

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship offers a unique opportunity to complement your academic studies with immersive overseas experiences. You will gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and languages while developing new perspectives that go beyond classroom learning. Many scholars return to ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃwith fresh insights, expanded knowledge, and renewed motivation for their studies.

Enhance Your Career Prospects

International study experience in the Indo-Pacific region will add value to your academic achievements and strengthen your CV. Engaging in an internship or mentorship during your program will provide hands-on experience and industry insights that could set you apart when applying for jobs or graduate programs.

Personal Growth & Development

Living and studying overseas fosters independence, adaptability, and resilience. The challenges and experiences of navigating a new environment will enhance your problem-solving skills, confidence, and resourcefulness. You may also discover new interests and passions that shape your future career and personal life.

Build Stronger Regional Connections

As an NCP scholar, you will play a role in strengthening Australia’s relationships with the Indo-Pacific by building connections with local communities, institutions, and businesses. These relationships could open doors to future career opportunities, research collaborations, and postgraduate study options.

Expand Your Professional & Social Network

The NCP Scholarship is not just about study—it’s also about making lifelong connections. You will have the chance to meet fellow scholars, professionals, and mentors, forming valuable networks that extend beyond your time overseas. The active NCP alumni community provides ongoing opportunities to stay engaged with the Indo-Pacific region.

Experience Culture & Travel

Studying abroad is more than just an academic experience—it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture. From language and traditions to food, music, and historic landmarks, you will gain first-hand exposure to the diversity of your host country while exploring new destinations.

Application Support & Information Sessions

Application workshops will be available to help you craft a strong submission. For details on upcoming sessions, visit the Global Programs website.

To apply for the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be an Australian citizen (dual citizens and permanent residents of an NCP host location are ineligible)
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree at ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃand be in at least your second year of study when the scholarship commences
• Be between 18 and 30 years of age (inclusive) for non-indigenous applicants or between 18 and 35 years of age (inclusive) for indigenous applicants
• Have a minimum 70% graded average (GPA equivalent) in your undergraduate studies at the time of application or nomination by ANU

NOTE: The GPA requirement does not apply to Australian Indigenous students.

Applicants must also be undertaking an approved exchange or study abroad program in an eligible NCP destination.

For full eligibility details, refer to the NCP Scholarship Program Guidelines on the DFAT website.

DISCLAIMER:

The NCP Scholarship guidelines state that each Australian university determines its own process for selecting nominees, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set by DFAT. Based on ANU’s past performance, the University has established a minimum GPA requirement of 70% for most applicants to ensure they are well-prepared to thrive in diverse academic environments abroad.

At ANU, we are deeply committed to supporting and empowering First Nations people. We strive to offer various academic initiatives and support mechanisms aimed at enhancing the educational and professional success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. In recognition of this commitment, ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃhas waived the GPA requirement for First Nations students, encouraging them to apply for the NCP Scholarship and pursue valuable international learning experiences.

Applications are open once a year, and students should submit their applications to ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃGlobal Programs through the Global Programs System.

Round One – ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃSelection Process

1. Application Submission:

   To apply for an NCP Scholarship, you must . Applications for the 2026 round will be open from 1 May to 31 May 2025.

2. Concurrent Exchange Application:

   Students must also through the ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃGlobal Programs System or consider studies while completing their NCP Scholarship application. The proposed undergraduate studies must be credit-bearing and approved by the student's academic college(s).

Applications will be assessed and shortlisted by a panel of ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃstaff. For guidance on preparing your application, please refer to the application guidelines below.

Round Two - DFAT selection process

If your Round One application is successful, it will be recommended to DFAT for consideration, and you will receive application guidance. ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃGlobal Programs will work with shortlisted candidates to help them best frame their applications.

The final selection process will be administered by DFAT, and shortlisted applicants will attend a face-to-face interview with a panel between September and October 2025. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the DFAT selection process in November/December 2025.

Successful applicants’ proposed activities will commence in the following year.

1. Choose a country

   Eligible host locations include: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.

   ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃhas partner universities in some of these countries. You may choose to study at an ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃexchange partner university from the list above, or you can create your own study plan at a non-partner university from the list of countries and arrange to go as an independent study abroad student.

2. Choose a program

   Please ensure to liaise with your academic college in advance. Select a study program (courses) at the host institution for which you will receive academic credit from your ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃacademic college.

   • Approval Requirement: Students must seek approval from their academic colleges to ensure:
     • The proposed overseas studies / courses undertaken abroad are credit-bearing and can be counted towards their ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃundergraduate degree.
     • There is room within their degree to undertake studies overseas.
   • Study Period: The study period must commence as per DFAT guidelines, between 1 January and the end of December of the following year. Please refer to the DFAT NCP guidelines for more details.

3. Consider language training

   Students are strongly encouraged to include language training in their proposed Scholarship program at their host country.

   • While seeking academic credit for language training is encouraged, it is not mandatory.

4. Internship Component

   Consider incorporating internship or mentorship experiences as part of your Scholarship program.

   • Exploration: Reach out to potential organisations at your host destination to explore internship possibilities.
   • Flexibility: Internships and mentorships do not need to be confirmed at the time of application.
   • Recommendation: Including one or more internships or mentorships is highly encouraged.

5. Prepare Your Application and Selection Criteria Responses

   In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, applicants will be assessed against the selection criteria and compared with other applications.

   Clearly demonstrate:

   • How you would benefit from the NCP Scholarship.
   • What YOU will bring to the program if selected.
   • How you plan to establish an internship or mentorship if considered for the scholarship.

   For detailed information, refer to the .

   In your application, you must address each of the following selection criteria, with responses limited to 300 words per criterion. Use the guidance provided under each criterion to draft your responses effectively.

   1. Academic excellence at the tertiary level (25% weighting)

      Assessment of this criterion will relate to the applicant's demonstrated higher-order cognitive skills, creativity, innovation, communication skills, problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills in their university study. Applicants may also draw on academic achievements such as academic awards and commendations, publications, or other examples of academic excellence at the tertiary level.

   2. Leadership and Engagement in the Community (25% weighting)

      This criterion evaluates your demonstrated leadership in the community, including volunteer roles, not-for-profit work, employment, and other activities undertaken locally, nationally, internationally, and/or at your university.

      You should provide specific examples of leadership roles you have undertaken and the impact of your contributions.

   3. Adaptability and Resilience (25% weighting)

      This criterion assesses your potential to successfully undertake and gain maximum advantage from a study experience in an Indo-Pacific location.

      Consider highlighting:

      • Your resilience, flexibility, and adaptability, particularly in diverse cultural contexts.
      • How you will build and maintain relationships in the Indo-Pacific region and upon your return to Australia.

   4. Ability to Contribute to NCP’s Strategic Objective and Outcomes (25% weighting)

      This criterion evaluates your understanding of the NCP’s strategic objectives and outcomes and how your proposed Scholarship program will contribute to these goals.

      Demonstrate your:

      • Awareness of the NCP’s strategic purpose.
      • How your experiences and activities will contribute to the NCP’s objectives, both during your program and upon your return to Australia.

Where Applicants have similarly meritorious claims in relation to the Assessment criteria, preference may be given to:

• Applicants proposing:
  • longer periods of Study components
  • an Internship component or a Mentorship
  • a period (or longer periods) of Language training, and/or
  • a Scholarship program with coherent correlation across the proposed Study component, Language training and Internship component
• achieving diversity of placement across Host locations
• representation from diverse student groups including but not limited to, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, students from a low socio-economic status background, students from regional/remote areas or universities, students who are first in their immediate family to attend university, students across the genders, female students studying in non-traditional fields, students with a disability, and students from a non-English speaking background
• diversity across fields of study and Australian universities
• how the proposal contributes to value with relevant money.

Record number of ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃstudents ready to leave lasting mark in Indo-Pacific 19 December 2024

ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃstudents to forge path in Indo-Pacific in year of firsts 6 December 2022

- Research paper by Ly Tran and Huyen Bui, Deakin University, 9 January 2021

Seven ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃstudents land prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship 10 December 2020 

Scholarship winners set their sights on the Indo-Pacific 29 November 2019

ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃwins 8 New Colombo Plan Scholarships for 2019 27 November 2018

 29 November 2017

 28 November 2017

ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃcollects six New Colombo Plan scholarships for 2016, 1 December 2015

 30 November 2015

Burgmann Alumnus awarded the ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃNew Colombo Plan Funding, 12 December 2014

International students as foreign relations: a research agenda in the context of Colombo Plans old and new - abstract of a public lecture by Professor David Lowe, Director of the Alfred Deakin Research Institute, 28 August 2014

Rebecca wins Colombo Plan scholarship, 8 July 2014

Students win scholarships in New Colombo Plan, 26 June 2014

Learning in and from our region - speech by NCP scholarship winner Emma Roberts, 26 June 2014

Foreign Minister farewells ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃstudents under New Colombo Plan, 17 March 2014