The 2023 round of New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarships will see the largest cohort of scholars travel to the Indo-Pacific since the initiative began in 2014.
For the 150 scholars set to live, study and intern across 24 host locations next year, the journey begins with pre-departure training in Canberra on 5 and 6 December 2022. Followed by an Awards Ceremony on 6 December 2022.
The NCP continues to provide one of the most important opportunities for young Australians to engage meaningfully in the Indo-Pacific.
In announcing the largest cohort of NCP scholars yet, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reaffirms the government's commitment to a renewed and optimistic reconnection with our region.
We live in an incredibly culturally and economically diverse region, and as we meet the big challenges of this century such as climate change and cyber security, we all benefit from a deeper knowledge of our region and its people.
The connections and networks forged through the NCP build two of the most vital elements for peace and progress – learning and understanding.
The NCP aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting a diverse cohort of Australian undergraduates to live and learn in the Indo-Pacific. Following easing of COVID travel restrictions over the last two years, we are excited to see NCP scholars travel to the region again to build strong people-to-people and institutional links with our closest neighbours.
The 2023 NCP Scholars come from a diverse range of backgrounds and fields of study, from health and engineering to science and social work.
Seven First Nations NCP scholars are among the 2023 cohort – the second largest number of First Nations Scholars since the initiative's inception. We also welcome the largest number of Scholars from regional and remote areas (60) and Scholars with disability (21) in the 2023 round.
