New Colombo Plan Grant

Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Colombo Plan mobility program provides funding to Australian undergraduate students studying in the Indo-Pacific region. Students can receive grants, ranging from $1000 to $7000, to participate in semester based or short term study, internships, practicums, volunteering programs and research. These grants are available for selected overseas study programs, including semester exchange programs and short-term programs during winter and summer breaks.

Applications open

1 Jan 2022

Applications closed

1 Jan 2023

Application type

Application required
How to apply

Benefit type

Single payment
Full benefit details

Citizenship requirements

Australian / domestic student

Total value

$1,000 - $7,000

Applicable study areas

All study areas

Number of scholarships awarded

Up to 150

  • Peter Katsakis standing in-front of a temple
    "With the use of this scholarship I strive to further deepen my connections in Japan and to increase the bilateral relationship that Australia has with this country. I hope that my knowledge of Japanese culture, language and society becomes an asset in my future aspirations. I wish to use the resources given to me by the New Colombo Plan to help achieve my goals of becoming a Japanese translator."
    - Peter Katsakis
  • Eligibility & selection criteria

    Eligibility

    To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

    • be an Australian citizen and do not hold dual citizenship or residency rights of the host location of the mobility program
    • be enrolled in an undergraduate University of Melbourne course
    • be between 18 and 28* years of age at the commencement of the mobility program (*Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students do not need to be aged between 18 and 28.)
    • have not commenced a period of overseas study in the same host location as the mobility program
    • have not received a Melbourne Mobility Award for the same overseas program
    • have not received an Endeavour Student Exchange Grant, or the Lin Martin Scholarship
    • New Colombo Plan:
      • have not received a Student Grant under more than one Semester Grant
      • have not received a Student Grant under more than one Short-term Grant
      • have not received a Student Grant under both a Semester Grant and a Short-term Grant for the same Mobility Project or for the same period of travel outside of Australia.
    • be approved to participate in a University of Melbourne Overseas Program supported by New Colombo Plan funding.

    Selection criteria

  • Application process

    Short-term programs: Eligible students will apply for available NCP grants as part of their University of Melbourne application to the relevant short-term program.

    Semester-long exchange programs: Eligible students will apply for available NCP grants as part of their University of Melbourne application to the relevant Semester-exchange program. Only students who preference an eligible NCP host institution will submit an application.

  • When will I know the outcome?

    Short-term programs: Your NCP grant application will be assessed after the application deadline for your selected short-term program and you will receive an outcome within 10 business days.

    Semester-long exchange programs: Your NCP grant application will be assessed after you have received your host institution allocation. If you apply for a Semester 1 exchange program you will be notified at the beginning August or if you apply for a Semester 2 exchange program you will be notified at the beginning of February.

What are the benefits?

Short-term grants of between $1000 and $3000 per student for a minimum of 14 continuous days are available for study at host locations.

Semester long study grants of between $3000 to $7000 are available for study at host locations.

Please see location details and dates for upcoming programs at the Program Database For full details on New Colombo Plan eligibility, please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

The information listed here is subject to change without notice. Where we have listed information about jointly run scholarships programs, please also see our partners' websites. Information describing the number and value of scholarships awarded is indicative.