New Colombo Plan Scholarships

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program is the most lucrative and prestigious undergraduate scholarship in the country. As a signature initiative of the Australian Government, it supports Australia's best undergraduate students to undertake a semester long international study experience, an internship/mentorship and language training in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hear from some of our previous NCP scholars:

• Mikyla Peters (Taiwan)
• Kelsey Grey (Singapore)
• Emily Williams (Singapore)

An NCP scholarship can provide Scholars with:

• a travel allowance of $2,500
• an establishment allowance of $2,500
• a monthly stipend of $2,500 (for up to 19 months)
• tuition fees up to $10,000 per semester for students studying at a non exchange partner university
• in-country language training up to $10,000
• health and travel insurance for the duration of the overseas Scholarship Program, including a $1000 mental health allowance
• One student at each location will receive an additional payment of $1,000 ('Fellow allowance') to purchase study materials for use during their Scholarship and to contribute to costs associated with the Fellow’s promotion of the NCP
• a dedicated case manager for the duration of the Scholarship Program who provides services including pre-departure briefings, advice on health and travel insurance, advice and assistance relating to accommodation, and payment of Scholarship benefits
• Scholarships may also be sponsored by private sector organisations. All Scholars are eligible and will be considered for private sector sponsorship, which offers benefits in addition to the NCP Scholarship

Scholarship Programs can be conducted in the following 40 eligible Indo-Pacific Host Locations:

Study Component

• The study component must be full-time and face-to-face for at least one Semester or Trimester and up to one full Academic Year in duration.
• Scholars must receive full credit for the study component towards their Bachelor Degree or Bachelor Honours Degree. Scholars studying a research-based honours program must be supervised by an academic at their host institution.

The process for applying for credit for your study component is the same as applying for credit for Semester Exchange. You must have the flexibility in your program plan to accommodate a semester study component in 2025.

Internship/Mentorship component

Internships enable scholars to have immersive work experiences relevant to their academic course and professional development. Internships can either be full time (between 22 – 38 hours per week) prior to or after the Study component or on a part time basis (concurrent with the Study component or full time language training component.

Internships and Mentorships do not need to be confirmed at the time of Application. Scholars will be able to access the NCP Internship and Mentorship Network to identify Internship and Mentorship opportunities.

Mentorships may only be undertaken concurrently with a Study component, full time Internship component, or full time Language training. An internship may not be undertaken online or remotely. An Internship may be paid or unpaid. A Mentorship is negotiated between the Scholar and mentor and can be undertaken face-to-face or via remote methods. There is no minimum time commitment for a Mentorship.

Language training

All Scholars are eligible for support to undertake language training for a period of up to 6 months as part of their Scholarship Program. Language training must be undertaken in the same host location as a study component or full time internship component in an official language of the host location.

To be eligible, applicants for the NCP Scholarship must:

• be an Australian citizen.
• not be a current citizen or permanent resident of their proposed host location(s).
• be enrolled at the University of Newcastle in a Bachelor Degree or Bachelor Honours Degree.
• be between 18 and 30 years of age (inclusive) for non-Indigenous applicants, or between 18 and 35 years of age (inclusive) for Indigenous applicants, on 1 January 2025.
• have achieved a minimum 70 per cent graded average or equivalent for their undergraduate course to date at the time of application.
• be eligible to undertake Semester Exchange as part of the study component of the program.

Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria, in written applications and performance at interview:

• Academic excellence at the tertiary level (25 per cent weighting)
• Leadership and engagement in the community (25 per cent weighting)
• Adaptability and resilience (25 per cent weighting)
• Ability to contribute to NCP’s strategic objective and outcomes (25 per cent weighting)

Where Applicants have similarly meritorious claims in relation to the Assessment criteria, preference may be given to:

• Applicants proposing longer programs
• achieving diversity of placement across Host locations
• representation from diverse student groups
• diversity across fields of study and Australian universities
• how the proposal contributes to value with relevant money

To apply for an NCP scholarship, you must first apply to the University of Newcastle between Friday 3 May and Sunday 16 June 2024.

Stage 1 - UON Application and Selection Process

Applications will be assessed by the Global Experience Team and 15 students shortlisted. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by 19 June 2024.

See the full time line below:

Stage 2 - DFAT formal Application and Selection Process

If your Stage One application is successful, you will then be nominated to DFAT for consideration and your formal application and supporting documentation to DFAT will be due in August. The Global Experience Team will liaise with you about how to best frame this application.

Shortlisted applicants will then be interviewed by DFAT around September or October 2024. The Global Experience Team will also be available to assist in your preparation for this interview. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome of the DFAT selection process in November 2024. Scholars are announced and their details published on the NCP website from November - December 2024. Scholars commence their scholarship program from 1 January 2025 – 15 December 2025.

1. Read through the 2024 NCP Program Guidelines*.
2. Watch the NCP Information session organised by the Global Experience team.
3. Complete the University of Newcastle Application (Applications close 19 June 2024)

* These will be updated with the 2025 NCP Program guidelines when they become available

if you have any questions about the NCP Scholarship Program, please email global-experience@newcastle.edu.au or book in an appointment with a Global Experience Advisor.

Wishing you all the best.