Scholarship details
The 2023 New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program provides opportunities for undergraduate Australian students to undertake semester-based studies and internships or mentorships in participating Indo-Pacific locations.
In 2023, the New Colombo Plan will support Australian university students to live, work and study in 40 locations in the Indo-Pacific region, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia. It is expected that between 120 and 150 scholarships will be awarded for study in 2023.
University nominations are now open for the New Colombo Plan Scholarships 2022 round which will open on June 17, 2023 and close on July 15, 2023.
However, nominated student applications open on July 16, 2023, and will close on August 14, 2023. Selected candidates will be announced at the awards function in late November.
More about the New Colombo Plan
The New Plan Colombo (NCP) is a flagship initiative of the Australian Government, which aims to improve Australia’s awareness of the Indo-Pacific region by helping Australian university students study and intern in the region.
The objectives of the NCP Scholarship Program are:
- provide over 120 prestigious and highly competitive scholarships to a wide range of Australian undergraduate students studying a variety of disciplines;
- support further study experiences in a wide range of Indo-Pacific areas;
- encourage researchers to undertake long-term studies, language studies, and internships and/or mentoring;
- engage researchers, Australian universities, and other stakeholders in public diplomacy and outreach;
- continue to develop an active alumni community to allow past scholars to share their experiences, promote the PNC, and continue to develop professional knowledge and connections to the Indo-Pacific region.
What kind of study does the New Colombo Plan support?
The New Colombo Plan implies:
- A prestigious scholarship program for the study of up to one year and internships or mentoring, and
- A flexible mobility scholarship program for short and long-term studies, internships, mentoring, internships, and research.
All studies supported by the New Colombo Plan must receive credit toward an Australian university degree.
Level/field of study
The scholarship is open to undergraduate students in various disciplines from 18 to 28 studying at Australian universities. Furthermore, the NCP has the capacity to include over 28 students in the mobility projects financed by the New Colombo Plan.
Host Nationality
This scholarship is an initiative of the Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Eligible Nationality
The scholarship is open to Australian citizens.
Scholarship Worth
Before applying for a New Colombo Plan scholarship, students should consider their personal financial circumstances and ensure that completing a Scholarship Program will not stretch them financially. Exchange rates may fluctuate. Also, the scholarship must be used as intended.
The Colombo New Scheme Scholarship includes:
- Tuition fees cover the cost of study for up to one academic year (including student service fees and services), where students study as paying international students, up to a maximum of $20,000 ($10,000 per semester or $ 6,666 per quarter).
Note: these fees are paid directly to the host institution. Furthermore, the scholarship will only provide international tuition costs if there is no current exchange agreement place available between the home University and the host institution. - Language training tuition fees, when incurred, are up to $1,500. Additionally, these fees are for in-country language training only and are paid directly to the language training provider.
- A travel allowance of $2,500 to contribute to the costs associated with Scholars’ travel to and from the Host Location.
Other benefits include:
- An establishment allowance of $2,500 to contribute to the costs associated with establishing the Scholar at his or her Host Location.
- a $2,500 monthly stipend to contribute to the Scholar’s basic living costs at their Host Location.
- Health and travel insurance for the duration of your Scholarship Program abroad.
- A dedicated case manager for the duration of your fellowship program providing services including pre-departure briefings, medical and travel insurance advice, advice, and assistance related to accommodation and payment of allowances.
- New Colombo Plan Scholars (the highest-ranked Scholar at each location and the highest-ranked Indigenous College) will receive an additional benefit of $1,000 to purchase study materials to use during their Scholarship Program.
Scholarships may be sponsored by private sector organizations for the duration of the Fellowship Scholarship Program. This may include in-kind benefits provided directly to fellows, such as training opportunities.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants for the New Colombo Scholarship Plan 2023 must adhere to the following
- They have been nominated by their home university.
- Be an Australian citizen.
- Applicants may not pursue their Scholarship at a Host Location where they have dual citizenship or permanent residence; or in those who have previously been citizens or permanent residents.
- Be enrolled in units at a land-based campus of an Australian university during the application process.
- Be between 18 and 28 years of age (inclusive) on January 1, 2023.
- Have achieved a minimum 70 percent average or equivalent for your undergraduate course at the time of application, as determined by the nominating home university.
- Take a Bachelor’s or Bachelor’s degree with honors when you start the scholarship program.
- Not be a previous recipient of a New Colombo Plan scholarship.
How to apply
- Australian universities must make their nominations through the New Colombo Plan Online website.
- Nominated students receive an application guide and an invitation to complete an online application form.
- Applicants gather supporting documentation and complete their application.
Deadline for application
Submission of the application for the New Plan Colombo 2023 closes at 11.30 pm AEST on 14 August 2023.
Application link
For more information on the 2023 New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program, please visit the following link:
