For students aiming to study in Australia, New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program is a fully funded scholarship from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australian Government. The award covers A comprehensive package covering full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, travel and establishment costs, health insurance, and specialized language training. and is open to undergraduate students studying all disciplines (open to any field allowed by the home and host university). The scholarship runs for between 3 and 19 months. Eligibility is generally based on applicants must be Australian citizens, aged 18-30 (with some exceptions), enrolled in an Australian university, and must be nominated by their institution based on academic merit and leadership. The application deadline is September (Varies by university nomination cycle), with an acceptance rate of approximately Low. Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Approximately 10% to 15% of nominated candidates
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Up to $87,000 AUD
⏳
Duration
Between 3 and 19 months
📅
Deadline
September (Varies by university nomination cycle)
🌎
Fields
All disciplines (Open to any field allowed by the home and host university)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 120-150 per year
🌏
Study Country
Australia
🏛️
Provider
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australian Government
📊
Acceptance
Low
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must be Australian citizens, aged 18-30 (with some exceptions), enrolled in an Australian university, and must be nominated by their institution based on academic merit and leadership.
🏛️ Host University
Participating universities in 40 Indo-Pacific locations
🤝 Sponsor
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
🌎 Fields of Study
All disciplines (Open to any field allowed by the home and host university)
✨ Key Benefits
A comprehensive package covering full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, travel and establishment costs, health insurance, and specialized language training.
✈️ Travel: $2,500 AUD travel allowance🏠 Accommodation: Included in the monthly stipend and establishment allowance💊 Health Insurance: Comprehensive health and travel insurance included🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes, up to $20,000 AUD per semester
🏠 Living Stipend
$2,500 AUD per month
🏡 Accommodation
Included in the monthly stipend and establishment allowance
✈️ Travel Allowance
$2,500 AUD travel allowance
💊 Health Insurance
Comprehensive health and travel insurance included
🎁 Other Benefits
Establishment allowance of $2,500 AUD, language training fees up to $1,500 AUD, and mentorship programs
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not applicable
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Australian citizen; aged 18 to 30; enrolled in an Australian undergraduate degree; nominated by a home university
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate
📊 Minimum GPA
70% (Credit average) or higher
🗣️ English Requirement
Not required (Primary language of applicants is typically English)
🍢 Age Limit
18 to 30 years (inclusive) at the time of program commencement
💼 Work Experience
Not required, but internship components are part of the program
🏆 Leadership
High; applicants must demonstrate community leadership and commitment to Indo-Pacific engagement
💰 Financial Need
Not required; selection is based primarily on merit and potential
🎯 Target Students
High-achieving Australian undergraduate students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes, multiple personal statements and a program proposal
Rec Letters
Yes, two references (Academic and Professional/Community)
Interview
Yes, for shortlisted candidates
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes, two references (Academic and Professional/Community) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Not required (Primary language of applicants is typically English)
Interview: Yes, for shortlisted candidates
Min GPA: 70% (Credit average) or higher
📋 Application Process
Focus your application on how you will contribute to 'people-to-people' links between Australia and the Indo-Pacific. Secure a strong internship lead early.
💡 Insider Tip: Demonstrate resilience and adaptability in your essays, as the selection committee looks for students who can thrive in diverse cultural environments.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
July
⏰ Deadline
September (Varies by university nomination cycle)
🎤 Interview
Yes, for shortlisted candidates
🎓 Study Starts
Between January 1 and December 31 of the award year
July
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
September (Varies by university nomination cycle)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes, for shortlisted candidates
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Between January 1 and December 31 of the award year
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, leadership in the community, adaptability and resilience, and contribution to the NCP objectives
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship ProgramCurrent
Australia
Full Funding
Undergraduate
—
🇦🇺 Curtin University International Merit Scholarship
Applicants must be Australian citizens, aged 18-30 (with some exceptions), enrolled in an Australian university, and must be nominated by their institution based on academic merit and leadership.
This scholarship covers: A comprehensive package covering full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, travel and establishment costs, health insurance, and specialized language training.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is September (Varies by university nomination cycle). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Approximately 10% to 15% of nominated candidates. Acceptance rate: Low. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Not required (Primary language of applicants is typically English), Yes, two references (Academic and Professional/Community) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.