by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australian Government · Host institutions across the Indo-Pacific region, arranged through the applicant's nominating Australian university
🕐 Last updated: September 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded🔴 Active (2026 round outcomes announced; from 2026 the NCP comprises three streams: Scholarships, Semester, and Mobility)🎓 Undergraduate🌍 Australia📌 Government-funded / Merit-based
Up to 107,000 AUD total grant value, covering tuition, stipends, language training, and other allowances
Duration
3 to 19 months
Deadline
—
Level
Undergraduate
Acceptance
—
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
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 Up to 107,000 AUD total grant value, covering tuition, stipends, language training, and other allowances and is open to undergraduate students studying open to any field permitted by the student's home and host institutions. The scholarship runs for 3 to 19 months. Eligibility is generally based on applicants must be Australian citizens currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree, nominated by their home university rather than applying to DFAT directly. The standard age range is 18 to 30 (inclusive), extended to 35 for Indigenous applicants, measured at the time the program commences. The application deadline is announced annually on the official scholarship page. 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
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Up to 107,000 AUD total grant value, covering tuition, stipends, language training, and other allowances
⏳
Duration
3 to 19 months
📅
Deadline
—
🎓
Fields
Open to any field permitted by the student's home and host institutions
🏆
Awards/Year
328 scholarships offered in the 2026 round, up 50% from the previous year, en route to a target of 500 scholarships annually by 2028
🌏
Study Country
Australia
🏛️
Provider
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australian Government
📊
Acceptance
—
The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program funds Australian undergraduates to study, undertake internships, and complete language training in the Indo-Pacific for between three and 19 months. For the 2026 round, DFAT offered 328 scholarships, a 50 percent increase on the prior year, as part of the government's commitment to reach 500 scholarships annually by 2028.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must be Australian citizens currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree, nominated by their home university rather than applying to DFAT directly. The standard age range is 18 to 30 (inclusive), extended to 35 for Indigenous applicants, measured at the time the program commences.
🏛️ Host University
Host institutions across the Indo-Pacific region, arranged through the applicant's nominating Australian university
🤝 Sponsor
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
🎓 Fields of Study
Open to any field permitted by the student's home and host institutions
✨ Key Benefits
Scholars receive a total grant of up to 107,000 AUD covering tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel, and health and travel insurance, structured to support a combined study and internship placement of three to 19 months. Language training costs are also funded where the program includes study of an Indo-Pacific language.
Yes (monthly stipend included within the total grant)
Total Award
Up to 107,000 AUD total grant value, covering tuition, stipends, language training, and other allowances
✈️ Travel: Yes (travel costs included within the total grant package)🏠 Accommodation: No💊 Health Insurance: Yes (health and travel insurance included)🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes (monthly stipend included within the total grant)
🏡 Accommodation
No
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (travel costs included within the total grant package)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes (health and travel insurance included)
🎁 Other Benefits
Language training funding and internship placement support are included as part of the program
🔄 Renewable
No
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Australian citizens enrolled in an undergraduate degree at an Australian university; aged 18-30 (inclusive) for non-Indigenous applicants or 18-35 (inclusive) for Indigenous applicants at commencement; must be nominated by their home university
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate
🍢 Age Limit
18-30 (inclusive) for non-Indigenous applicants; 18-35 (inclusive) for Indigenous applicants
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Preferred
💰 Financial Need
Not required (merit-based)
🎯 Target Students
Australian undergraduate students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes
Rec Letters
2 letters
Interview
Check website
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
📋 Application Process
Since DFAT does not accept applications directly, start by contacting your university's NCP or Global Mobility office, as your institution controls nomination and internal shortlisting before any application reaches DFAT. Build your study and internship plan around a coherent narrative connecting your degree, the host country, and your longer-term interest in the Indo-Pacific region.
💡 Insider Tip: With the program restructured into three streams from 2026 (Scholarships, Semester, and Mobility), confirm which stream your university is nominating you for, as eligibility criteria and grant amounts differ between them. Factor in that award components such as language training funding only apply if your program includes formal study of an Indo-Pacific language.
🗾️ 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
Check website
⏰ Deadline
Check website
🎤 Interview
Check website
🎓 Study Starts
Any time within the award year, as agreed in the scholar's individual study plan
Check website
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Check website
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Check website
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Any time within the award year, as agreed in the scholar's individual study plan
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic merit, nomination by home university, relevance of proposed host-country program, commitment to Indo-Pacific engagement
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship ProgramCurrent
Australia
Full Funding
Undergraduate
—
🇦🇺 Western Sydney University International Scholarship
Applicants must be Australian citizens currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree, nominated by their home university rather than applying to DFAT directly. The standard age range is 18 to 30 (inclusive), extended to 35 for Indigenous applicants, measured at the time the program commences.
Scholars receive a total grant of up to 107,000 AUD covering tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel, and health and travel insurance, structured to support a combined study and internship placement of three to 19 months. Language training costs are also funded where the program includes study of an Indo-Pacific language. It is a fully funded scholarship.
Application deadlines vary by year. Check the official scholarship website for current cycle dates.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Varies. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Check website, 2 letters recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.