The NCP is a signature initiative of the Australian Government that aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia and strengthen our people-to-people and institutional relationships, through study and work placement undertaken by Australian undergraduate students in the region.
The NCP Scholarship Program is a prestigious scholarship scheme that provides an opportunity for high achieving undergraduate students to undertake study in one of the eligible host locations across the Indo-Pacific region. In 2018, the Australian Government aimed to provide around 100 NCP Scholarships.
Scholarship recipients must undertake a study program (for at least one semester, but maybe up to two semesters in duration) for which they will receive credit at their home university. The program also includes provision for relevant language studies and internship/ mentorship components.
Eligible locations
Scholarship Programs can be conducted in the following 38 eligible Indo-Pacific host locations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
To encourage diversity in host locations, a maximum of around 15 scholarships are expected to be awarded for study in any single host location. Scholars may apply to undertake their study and/or internship component in more than one eligible host location and/or host institution/organisation, where it adds meaningful value to the core Scholarship Program.
Value
The Scholarship will provide:
- a travel allowance of $2,500
- an establishment allowance of $2,500
- a monthly stipend of $2,500
- health and travel insurance for the duration of the overseas Scholarship Program
- 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 allowances
- where incurred, payment of in-country language training fees up to $1,500 will be made directly to the language-training provider
- if you study as a fee-paying international student (rather than at an institution where an official exchange agreement with CDU is in place) the Scholarship will provide payment of up to one Academic Year’s international tuition fees to a maximum of $20,000 ($10,000 per semester based or $6,666 per trimester-based Study Period); payable directly to the Host Institution (includes student service and amenities fees)
- New Colombo Plan Fellows will be awarded $1,000 to purchase study or learning materials for use during their Scholarship Program.
Eligibility for the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program
Applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen. Applicants are not able to undertake a Scholarship Program in a host location in which they have dual citizenship or residency rights; or in which they have previously been a citizen or permanent resident.
- be enrolled at CDU at the time of application
- be aged from 18 to 28 (inclusive) on 1 January 2020
- be undertaking a Bachelor Degree or Bachelor Honours Degree
- have achieved a minimum GPA of 5.5
- be available to commence the Scholarship Program between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020.
Example 2019 timeline
2020 program dates to be confirmed.
| Timeline |
Activity |
| 12 February 2018 |
New Colombo Plan Guidelines 2019 published |
| 29 June 2018 |
Deadline to submit the CDU Scholarship Candidate Request Form |
| 1 July to 30 July 2018 |
Students interviewed and shortlisted by CDU |
| 31 July 2018 |
Students Nominated by CDU |
| August 2018 |
Nominated students receive application guidance and an invitation to complete an online application form from the Australian Government.
Applicants complete their application and gather supporting documentation. Nominees are strongly encouraged to contact the CDU Mobility team for assistance in completing the form. Also, students must research their desired host location to see if there are Universities that offer suitable programs taught in English to meet the degree requirements at CDU. Students can search Bachelor degrees by discipline, country and language through the Bachelorportal. For advice about reflecting on experiences to effectively address the selection criteria in the expression of interest, we recommend contacting Employment Services at CDU and completing this free self-paced course on Unlocking Your Employability through edX.
|
| September 2018 |
Shortlisted applicants notified by Australian Government |
| September to October 2018 |
Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by the Australian Government |
| November 2018 |
Selections are finalised, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Education and Training are notified of selection outcomes
All successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified of the outcome of their application |
| December 2018 |
Scholars are announced, and their details are published on the New Colombo Plan website |
Application Guidelines for students nominated by CDU
Nominees should thoroughly read the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program Guidelines 2019, paying special attention to the NCP objectives, eligibility and selection criteria sections. To be asked by the Australian Government to officially apply for a New Colombo Plan Scholarship, you must first be nominated by CDU.