The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship (the Scholarship) is an Australian Government program that supports young Australian undergraduate students to build their Asia capability through long-term study, language training and internships in the Indo-Pacific region for up to 19 months.
To be considered, applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest to Curtin University for nomination. Nominated applicants will then be invited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or its contractor to complete the online NCP application, which will be assessed by them. The application process requires careful research, planning and commitment to develop a tailored scholarship program with clear goals.
Please read the NCP Scholarship Guidelines, Advice to Applicants, and associated documentation for more information and to prepare your application.
Table of Content
Summary
Subscribe for Scholarship Alert!
Benefits
The Scholarship will provide:
- one-off travel allowance of $3,000
- one-off establishment allowance of $3,000
- monthly scholarship allowance of up to $3,000
- mental health allowance of up to $3,000
- health and travel insurance for the duration of their overseas Scholarship Program
- dedicated case manager for the duration of their Scholarship Program who provides services including pre-departure briefings, advice on health and travel insurance, and payment of allowances.
- language training fees up to $10,000
Where a scholar will be studying as an independent study abroad student (a fee-paying international student) the Scholarship will also provide:
- international tuition fees of up to $15,000 per semester or $10,000 per trimester payable directly to the host institution (includes student service and amenities fees).
Requirements
Any undergraduate degrees where applicants can enrol as a full-time student at a host university in the Indo-Pacific region and receive full credits towards their current degree at Curtin University.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for the Scholarship, applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen
- not be a current citizen or permanent resident of their proposed location
- be between (as of 1 January 2027):
- 18 and 30 years of age (inclusive) for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants; OR
- 18 and 35 years of age (inclusive) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
- be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree or bachelor’s honours degree at Curtin University at the time of application and remain admitted throughout their Scholarship program
- be at least in the second year of their degree when the Scholarship program commences in 2027 (e.g. completed at least 200 credits in their degree)
- be able to enrol full-time at the host university and receive full-time credits recognition towards their current degree at Curtin University
- meet the semester exchange program eligibility listed on the Curtin Go Global semester and year-long exchange programs
- not be undertaking another Australian Government funded offshore scholarship at the commencement of, or concurrently with the Scholarship program
- not be a previous recipient of an NCP Scholarship (Previous NCP Mobility or Semester Program grant recipients may apply)
- not be an employee of the branch of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) that administers the NCP
Additionally, the applicant's proposed Scholarship program must:
- be undertaken in one of the eligible Indo-Pacific destinations (applicants should focus on one location, not multiple locations)
- be confirmed upfront as feasible for their study component, language training, internship, mentorship, etc.
- not be undertaken at a host institution in a region with a travel advice classification of ‘Do not travel’ or ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ by DFAT - Refer to the Australian Government's Smartraveller
- commence between the specified dates in the 2027 guidelines
Selection Process
STAGE 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted to Curtin University Scholarships Office
- 1 May 2026 – Curtin NCP Scholarship EOI opens
- 6 May 2026 – Information session (12.30–1.50 pm, Building 501, Room 117)
- 25 May 2026 – Curtin NCP Scholarship EOI closes
- Mid-June 2026 – Curtin EOI outcomes available
- 15 June 2026 – Application Process and Selection Criteria workshop
STAGE 2 - NCP Online Application
- Mid-June 2026 – Nominated applicants will receive an invitation from DFAT
- End July 2026 - Applications close 11.30pm AEST
STAGE 3 - NCP Interviews & Outcome
- September 2026 – Shortlisted applicants notified by DFAT
- September–October 2026 – Interviews (virtual)
- November 2026 – Final outcomes published
- December 2026 – Pre-departure training
Check also:
ANU Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship 2026
University of Canberra Research Scholarships 2026
Application Deadline
May 25, 2026How To Apply
For more information, kindly visit Curtin University scholarship webpage.
