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Scholarship details

2027- New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship - Expression of Interest

Status: Open

Applications open: 1/05/2026
Applications close: 29/05/2026

View printable version [.pdf]
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About this scholarship

Disclaimer Information - This scholarship is offered and administered by the Australian Government. The information and timeline may be updated in accordance with their updates or advice. 

Please note: Closing date of Curtin's Expression of Interest has been extended to 29 May 2026.

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. 

 

NCP locations

The Scholarship programs must be undertaken in one of the following host locations: 

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam

  • Current Students
  • Centre for Aboriginal Studies
  • Faculty of Business and Law
  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Faculty of Humanities
  • Faculty of Science & Engineering
    • Science courses
    • Engineering courses
    • Western Australian School of Mines (WASM)
  • Undergraduate
  • Curtin students wanting to study overseas
  • Australian Citizen
  • Merit Based

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).

Please note:

  • Scholars are responsible for their own financial arrangements and should consider their personal circumstances and budget for expenses such as accommodation, transport, cost of living and exchange rates when selecting a host location.
  • The Scholarship will only cover international tuition fees where there is no current student exchange agreement in place between Curtin University and the host institution.
  • If the study component is undertaken under an exchange program and the host institution does not charge tuition fees, a tuition fee allocation will not be provided.

In addition to the benefits outlined above, NCP Fellows (the top-ranked scholar in each location) will be awarded $1,000 to purchase study materials for use during their Scholarship Program.

Scholarship Details

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.

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

Application process

The NCP Scholarship application process has three stages. Refer to the key dates below and the detailed stage-by-stage guidance that follows.

Note: Key dates and the selection process for the NCP online application may change once the 2027 guidelines are published.

 

2027 NCP SCHOLARSHIP TIMELINE

 

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) – Register here
  • 29 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

 

STAGE 1 - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

 

Step 1: Research and planning

  • Read the NCP Scholarship Guidelines and Advice to Applicants to understand the program’s goals and objectives.
  • Develop your Scholarship program:
    • Review your study plan to confirm you can complete overseas study and receive credit towards your Curtin degree.
    • Choose your host location and host university in the region:
      • International exchange with a Curtin partner university, arranged through Curtin Go Global; or
      • Independent Study Abroad: identify a non-partner university in the region that may accept you as a fee-paying international student.
    • Identify units you can enrol in full-time at the host institution and have credited towards your Curtin degree.
    • Obtain unit outlines/syllabi from the host institution to help your course coordinator assess credit equivalence at Curtin.
    • Consider face-to-face language training with a recognised provider in your host location.
    • Consider internship and/or mentorship opportunities in your host location. Seek advice on feasibility from your Faculty Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and/or Global Mobility team.

Step 2: Access Curtin’s online Expression of Interest form

  • EOIs are to be submitted using the online application form. Access the form by clicking on the "Apply Online" button on the top right-hand side of this page

Step 3: Complete

  • Complete the EOI form online
  • Provide the required information / supporting documents as part of the EOI process, including:
    • Proof of Australian citizenship (copy of your current Australian passport)
    • Confirmation of Aboriginality (if applicable)
    • Current CV/resume
    • Two referees who can comment on your merit, abilities and potential against the selection criteria (one must be a Curtin academic staff member)
    • Curtin Study Plan Proposal Form (ideally approved by your course coordinator)
    • Evidence that the host institution offers a Study Abroad program and units taught in English* (e.g., a printout from the host university website)
    • Proof of Study Abroad program arrangements* (only for Independent Study Abroad applicants planning to study at a non-partner university)
  • EOI form can be saved at any point of the process
  • Tips for completing your EOI are available under the Applying for scholarships section of Curtin’s scholarships website.

(*) You do not need to provide evidence of acceptance from your host university at the EOI stage (Stage 1). However, when submitting your NCP application (Stage 2), you must provide documentation confirming your affiliation with your host institution, as required by the guidelines.

Step 4: Submit

  • The EOI closing date is listed at the top of this page.
  • Incomplete EOIs will not be assessed.
  • Once submitted, status will change to submitted

Step 5: Receipt

  • An EOI receipt will be sent to your Curtin student email once your application is submitted.

Step 6: Expression of Interest Outcome

  • EOI outcomes (successful and unsuccessful) will be available in mid-June 2026 via the Scholarships Channel in Student OASIS.

 

STAGE 2 - NCP ONLINE APPLICATION (FOR NOMINATED APPLICANTS)

 

Step 1: Receive your invitation and get started

  • NCP online applications are anticipated to open from mid-June to mid-August (TBC).
  • Applicants must undergo a National Police Check (organised by DFAT).
  • Register your two referees as soon as you receive your invitation.
  • Your referees will then be invited to submit their referee reports online (at least one referee must be a Curtin academic staff member).
  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the Curtin workshops and NCP webinars.

(**) Start your online application as soon as you receive the invitation and enter your referees’ contact details as early as possible. This gives referees sufficient time to prepare well-considered reports against the selection criteria. You can only submit your online application once both referee reports have been lodged.

Step 2: Assessment

  • Applications will be assessed by an selection panel against the criteria set out in the Guidelines, including:
    • Priority areas for selection
    • Selection criteria (weightings):
      • Alignment of application with the Australian Government’s geographic and sectoral priorities in the Indo-Pacific region (35%).
      • Focus on Indo-Pacific languages, especially priority languages (15%).
      • Personal attributes for successful completion of scholarship (30%).
      • Future impact of NCP experiences focused with regards to you maintaining engagement with the Indo-Pacific (20%).
  • Other considerations: DFAT may give priority to applications based on the following factors (in order of priority):
    • Representation from diverse student groups, including (but not limited to) Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students; students from low socio-economic status backgrounds; students from regional/remote areas or universities; students who are first in their immediate family to attend university; students across the genders; female students studying in non-traditional fields; students with disability; and students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
    • Longer periods of study components
    • An internship and/or mentorship component that complements the overall program
    • How the proposal demonstrates value for money

 

STAGE 3 - NCP INTERVIEWS (FOR SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS)

  • Scholars will be selected through a competitive, merit-based selection process.
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in September–October 2026.
  • Interview panels may include government officials, business representatives, academics, members of the diplomatic corps, and/or other representatives as determined appropriate.
  • All applicants (successful and unsuccessful) will be notified by DFAT by November/December 2026.
  • Successful scholars must commence their programs between 1 January and 15 December 2027.
  • The top-ranked applicant in each location will be recognised as an NCP Fellow. Fellows are encouraged to promote the NCP program during their Scholarship Program and to contribute to the alumni network on their return.

Enquiries

For enquiries relating to scholarships nomination and application process, please contact the Scholarships Office
Scholarships Office
E: scholarships@curtin.edu.au
T: 1300 222 888
Visit ourFrequently Asked Questions

 

For questions relating to the host institution and exchange components, please contact the Study Abroad and Student Exchange Office.
Go Global Office
E: GoGlobal@curtin.edu.au

 

Curtin Information Session (EOI)

 

Curtin Application Process & Selection Criteria Workshop (Nominated applicants)

 

Curtin Interview Workshop (Shortlisted applicants)

 

2026 New Colombo Plan Alumni Representative (Curtin University)

  • Daniel Duong
  • Sophie Melville

Further Information

New Colombo Plan website

 

Note from the NCP Secretariat

  • Travel to any host location will be subject to the Australian Government's Smartraveller travel advice at the time of travel. (Scholars must not travel to a host location or region within a host location for which the Smartraveller advisory recommends 'Do not travel' or 'Reconsider your need to travel' at the time of travel, as per the scholarship guidelines).

 

Tips on writing a successful NCP scholarship application (NCP Videos)

Below are links to videos with information on the NCP program, including why students should apply for a NCP scholarship.

Why should you apply for a New Colombo Plan scholarship?

Tips on writing a successful NCP scholarship application

New Colombo Plan ‘Your questions answered’

New Colombo Plan ‘Scholar Stories’

New Colombo Plan - Scholarship Application Tips by Global Society

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