Transform your future career
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which involves a prestigious scholarship to provide Australian undergraduate students with the opportunity of a lifetime, deepening your Indo-Pacific knowledge, capability and connections, whilst counting towards your degree.
An NCP Scholarship is much more than a student exchange program. It’s an opportunity to build your employability, create global connections, and set yourself apart, not just as a high-performing student, but as an emerging leader with experience in the region in which Australia’s future prosperity is tied.
Alongside a study component at a host university, a feature of the NCP is the opportunity to undertake one or more internships and the ability to learn the local language of your destination. You’ll network and build connections with leaders in government, business and civil society, and deepen your knowledge of the region. Knowledge and experience you will take into your future career.
After you return to Australia, your NCP experience doesn’t end. You’ll join the active NCP alumni community to support future scholars, promote the NCP and continue to develop knowledge of, and professional links with, the Indo-Pacific.
“Our country will benefit enormously from having young ambassadors from Australia who have an understanding of and an insight into the region that only comes from living and studying and working there.”
- Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP
About the NCP Scholarship Program
The NCP Scholarship Program provides around 120 Scholarships annually to a diverse range of Australian undergraduates studying a range of disciplines in up to 40 Indo-Pacific location.
Scholars are encouraged to undertake study, language training and an internship or mentorship for up to 19 months of their scholarship program.
Scholarship Benefits
- Monthly living allowance of $3,000 for the duration of your program (up to 19 months)
- Travel allowance up to $3,000
- Establishment allowance up to $3,000
- Tuition fees up to $10,000 maximum per semester (for fee-paying students)
- Health and travel insurance for the duration of the scholar’s program
- Support for language training up to $10,000
- Mental health allowance
Eligibility
- Australian citizen
- 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, on 1 January 2025 - GPA 6.0 or higher
- Enrolled in an undergraduate or honours program at UniSC
- Nominated by UniSC
UniSC's first NCP scholar (2014), Tess Harwood, shares how her NCP experience in Indonesia enabled her to access a diversity of opportunities that she draws on in her career.
Moreton Bay student Jessica Whyman has been given the chance to study overseas and landed an internship with Mattel in Malaysia after being awarded a scholarship through the New Colombo Plan.
Hear from 2023 NCP scholar Samantha Manson, alongside Dr Ratna Paudyal, whom provided mentorship and support throughout the application process. UniSC’s successful 2023 NCP scholars will undertake international experiences in Korea, Nepal, and Singapore.
Locations
Applicants may choose to undertake the NCP scholarship program in the following eligible host locations.
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei Darussalam
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
Vietnam
Key dates
The date for submitting your interest for the 2025 NCP Scholarship round has now passed.
If you would like to find out more about the 2026 NCP Scholarship round, register your interest above via the link or contact Global@usc.edu.au. It is anticipated the 2026 round will be announced in early 2025.
Contact us
Email: Global@usc.edu.au
More information
For more general information on the NCP Scholarship program, visit the DFAT website.