New Colombo Plan Scholarship | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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New Colombo Plan Scholarship

Transform your future career

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which involves a prestigious scholarship  to provide Australian undergraduate students with the opportunity of a lifetime, deepening your Indo-Pacific knowledge, capability and connections, whilst counting towards your degree.

An NCP Scholarship is much more than a student exchange program. It’s an opportunity to build your employability, create global connections, and set yourself apart, not just as a high-performing student, but as an emerging leader with experience in the region in which Australia’s future prosperity is tied.

Alongside a study component at a host university, a feature of the NCP is the opportunity to undertake one or more internships and the ability to learn the local language of your destination. You’ll network and build connections with leaders in government, business and civil society, and deepen your knowledge of the region. Knowledge and experience you will take into your future career.

After you return to Australia, your NCP experience doesn’t end. You’ll join the active NCP alumni community to support future scholars, promote the NCP and continue to develop knowledge of, and professional links with, the Indo-Pacific.

“Our country will benefit enormously from having young ambassadors from Australia who have an understanding of and an insight into the region that only comes from living and studying and working there.” - Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP

Want to find out more about the next scholarship round?

UniSC's first NCP scholar (2014), Tess Harwood, shares how her NCP experience in Indonesia enabled her to access a diversity of opportunities that she draws on in her career.

Moreton Bay student Jessica Whyman has been given the chance to study overseas and landed an internship with Mattel in Malaysia after being awarded a scholarship through the New Colombo Plan.

Hear from 2023 NCP scholar Samantha Manson, alongside Dr Ratna Paudyal, whom provided mentorship and support throughout the application process. UniSC’s successful 2023 NCP scholars will undertake international experiences in Korea, Nepal, and Singapore.

Locations

Applicants may choose to undertake the NCP scholarship program in the following eligible host locations.

Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei Darussalam

Cambodia
China
Cook Islands

Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
French Polynesia

Hong Kong SAR

India
Indonesia

Japan

Kiribati

Laos 

Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mongolia
Myanmar

Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
Niue

Pakistan
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Philippines

Republic of Korea

Samoa
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Sri Lanka

Taiwan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Tuvalu

Vanuatu
Vietnam

Key dates

The date for submitting your interest for the 2025 NCP Scholarship round has now passed.

If you would like to find out more about the 2026 NCP Scholarship round, register your interest above via the link or contact Global@usc.edu.au. It is anticipated the 2026 round will be announced in early 2025.