The New Colombo Plan 2017 scholarship and mobility program guidelines are now available.
The guidelines provide information–including eligibility requirements, the application process and deadlines–to assist Australian universities and undergraduate students to apply for a New Colombo Plan scholarships or mobility grants to live, study and intern in the Indo-Pacific in 2017.
In its first three years (2014 – 2016) the New Colombo Plan is supporting more than 10,000 Australian undergraduate students to live, study and undertake work placements in 32 locations across the Indo-Pacific.
In 2017, the New Colombo Plan will provide around 100 prestigious scholarships to support Australian undergraduate students aged 18-28 to undertake study and internships in up to 38 eligible locations across the Indo-Pacific region.
In addition, around $20 million in mobility grants to universities and consortia will support undergraduate students to participate in short or long-term study, internships, mentorships, practicums and research in the Indo-Pacific. The mobility program includes provisions for multi-year funding and encourages projects which attract private-sector, in-kind or financial sponsorship to maximise opportunities available for Australian undergraduates.
Applications for New Colombo Plan mobility grants open on 1 April 2016 and close on 3 June 2016.
University nominations for the 2017 scholarship round will open in July 2016, with students' applications due by 31 August 2016.
University staff and eligible undergraduate students keen to know more should, in the first instance, contact their faculty or their university's international liaison office.
Queries about the 2017 application process can be directed to the Department of Education and Training at student.mobility@education.gov.au for mobility grants and at ncp.scholarships@education.gov.au for scholarships. The New Colombo Plan Secretariat, within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, can be contacted at ncp.secretariat@dfat.gov.au.