New Colombo Plan Scholarship

New Colombo Plan Scholarship

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) offers Australian undergraduate students the opportunity to study, undertake internships and learn a language in the Indo Pacific region for up to 18 months.

The NCP is an initiative of the Australian Government to increase knowledge of the Indo-Pacific and deepen people to people relationships with a committed $50 million in Federal funding.

Australian Universities are invited to nominate undergraduate students who express their interest and who meet the eligibility criteria for a 2026 NCP Scholarship. 

More information is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website . 

Provider:
Australian Government
Duration of Award:
See scholarship details
Level of study:

• Undergraduate

Semester Availability:

• Semester 2
• Semester 1

• Eligibility
• How to Apply

Eligibility

To express your interest for this scholarship you must:

• be an Australian citizen
• not be a current or dual citizen or permanent resident of your proposed primary location or secondary location for which you intend to undertake your scholarship program
• be enrolled, until completion of all overseas study components, in at least one bachelor degree or bachelor honours degree unit at Murdoch University, excluding Veterinary Science, Nursing and Chiropractic Science. 
• be undertaking, until completion of all study components, at least one 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 2026.
• be in good academic standing

How to Apply

If you are eligible and want to be considered as a Murdoch University nominee, you need to:

• Attend one of the following compulsory online and interactive information sessions:
  • Tuesday 5th August,12.30pm - 1.30pm - online link to register
  • Friday 8th August, 12.30pm - 1.30 pm - online link to register
  Please register for the session you intend to join using the links above.

• Find a host university and discuss academic credit with your Academic Chair, if possible.
• Compile the required documents outlined below and email them to studyabroad@murdoch.edu.au by 12.00pm AWST, 30th August, 2025.

Next steps

After submitting your expression of interest , Murdoch University will select and nominate students to the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). After nomination, you will be invited to apply for the 2026 NCP Scholarship. If shortlisted, you will be required to attend an online interview. If you are selected after your interview, you will be awarded an NCP scholarship at an awards ceremony in Canberra in December 2025 (you will be flown there).

Required Documents

This scholarship requires you to provide the following documents:

• expression of interest form
• Statement of Academic Record (this will cost you $15 see here to order)

If you are selected and shortlisted for an interview, you will be contacted by a representative of the NCP Scholarships team and asked for permission (by them) to undertake a 'police check'.

Payment Method

Payments apply before and during the study abroad period. You will be paid by the Australian Government. 

Please refer to DFAT's website  for more information on payment details. 

Scholarship Value:
up to $65,000
Opening Date:
15 Jul 2025
Closing Date:
30 Aug 2025
Student Type:
Domestic