The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program supports Australian undergraduate students to strengthen their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy including through study, language learning and internships, with programs up to 19 months.
The intended outcomes of the NCP Scholarship Program are:
- 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 business, 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 nominate eligible Australian undergraduate students, who 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.
DFAT anticipates offering up to 350 NCP scholarships in the 2026 round.
New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program 2026 Round
Applications for the 2026 round of the NCP Scholarship Program are now open.
To access the 2026 NCP Scholarship Program Guidelines and related documents – which contain information about eligibility requirements, selection processes and advice on how to apply – please visit the following page on the GrantConnect website:
New Colombo Plan Scholarships Program 2026 Round
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.
Information on previous funding rounds.
Contacts
University staff and 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.