The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program supports Australian undergraduate students to strengthen their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy, including in priority Asian languages, through immersive, long-term structured learning and internships, with programs up to 19 months.
The intended outcomes of the NCP Scholarship Program include:
- scholars strengthen their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy in areas of Australia’s strategic interest, including in priority host locations, languages and sectors
- scholars are supported to engage with Australian businesses operating in the region, including through internships, to build the cohort of work-ready, Indo-Pacific capable Australians, and to increase Australia’s economic engagement with the region
- program alumni maintain their Indo-Pacific knowledge and capability, including language skills, and undertake continued engagement with the Indo-Pacific.
Scholarships are open to eligible Australian undergraduates currently studying at Australian universities.
Under the NCP Scholarship Program, Australian universities are required to put forward all eligible Australian undergraduate students from their institution who submit an Expression of Interest in applying for the program. Those students are then invited to submit an application. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is unable to accept applications from Australian undergraduate students directly.
New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program 2027
Round Applications for the 2027 round of the NCP Scholarship Program are now open!
To access the NCP Scholarship Program 2027 round guidelines – which contain information about eligibility requirements, selection processes and how to apply – please visit GrantConnect website.
GrantConnect is the authoritative source for Australian Government grants information. If you are new to using GrantConnect, you will be required to register to receive a login. By registering, you will be notified automatically of any changes.
Please also see the following information:
- NCP Scholarship Program Frequently Asked Questions [PDF 118 KB]
- NCP Scholarship Program Frequently Asked Questions [DOCX 67 KB]
- NCP Scholarship Agreement Template [PDF 829 KB]
- NCP Scholarship Agreement Template [DOCX 351 KB]
- Considering applying for a New Colombo Plan Scholarship?
- New Colombo Plan resources
Information on previous funding rounds for the NCP Scholarship Program can be found on the Previous rounds page.
New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program 2026 round
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, announced the outcomes of the 2026 round on 10 December 2025. A summary of the 2026 outcomes and a list of the awarded 2026 scholars are published under the New Colombo Plan Resources page.
The 2026 NCP Scholarship Program Guidelines and Advice to Applicants are below:
- 2026 Scholarship Program Guidelines [PDF 854 KB]
- 2026 Scholarship Program Guidelines [DOCX 333 KB]
- 2026 Scholarship Program Advice to Applicants [PDF 368 KB]
- 2026 Scholarship Program Advice to Applicants [DOCX 153 KB]
Contacts
DFAT is unable to accept NCP Scholarship Program applications from Australian undergraduate students directly.
Eligible undergraduate students interested in the NCP Scholarship Program should contact their university's study abroad/international liaison office for more information, or DFAT’s NCP Secretariat at ncp.secretariat@dfat.gov.au.