New Colombo Plan Grants
What is the New Colombo Plan?
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is an Australian Government initiative that provides opportunities for Australian undergraduate university students to develop their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy through immersive, structured learning and internships in the Indo-Pacific region.
The program fosters deeper interpersonal and institutional relationships, and aims to increase Australia's economic engagement with the region by supporting students to build skills, experience, and insight in the Indo-Pacific.
Those who have participated in an NCP program become NCP Alumni and are supported to maintain their connections in the Indo-Pacific.
The NCP is structured into three programs:
- The NCP Scholarships Program supports Australian undergraduate students undertaking university study, language and internships for up to 19 months overseas. This allows students to design their own program with their interests, careers, and aspirations in mind. These programs are student-led and supported by ANU. For further information on the NCP Scholarship please visit -
- The NCP Semester Program leverages Australian universities' partnership arrangements to support Australian undergraduate students to participate in specific semester or year-long programs. These programs are university-led, with ANU applying annually for specific programs and experiences to receive student grants.
- The NCP Mobility Program focuses on short-term, credit-bearing experiences of 4-to-9 weeks to develop Indo-Pacific capability that may include structured learning, internships, mentorships, practicums, and/or research. These programs are university-led, with ANU (and university consortia) applying annually for specific programs and experiences to receive student grants.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are strongly encouraged by DFAT and ANU to consider programs supported by the New Colombo Plan.
You can learn more about the New Colombo Plan on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website -
ANU receives support through the NCP Semester Program to provide grants to students participating in specific programs of strategic and academic importance to the university.
The objective of the NCP Semester Program is to provide opportunities for Australian undergraduate students to build their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy, including Asian language learning, through semester-length structured learning programs in areas of Australia鈥檚 strategic and economic interests.
The intended outcomes of the NCP Semester Program include:
- Program participants develop their Indo-Pacific knowledge and capability, including language skills, in line with Australia鈥檚 strategic and economic interests.
- Australian universities leverage institutional partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and there is an expansion of engagement with counterpart institutions in priority host locations, languages, and sectors.
- Alumni maintain and develop their Indo-Pacific capability, including language skills, and engagement with the region.
Opportunities that are supported by NCP Semester Grants will be promoted through various ANU channels including social media, information sessions, and Program Brochures.
Applications for grants are specific to each program. You will be provided relevant information and guidance when appropriate.
ANU receives support through the NCP Mobility Program to provide grants to students participating in specific short programs of strategic and academic importance to the university. These programs are typically ANU Academic College-led.
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program provides funding to Australian universities to support Australian undergraduate students to develop Indo-Pacific capability through participation in 4-to-9 week credit-bearing experiences, including study, language training, internships, mentorships, practicums and/or research.
The intended outcomes of the 2026 NCP Mobility Program are:
- Participants develop their Indo-Pacific knowledge and capability, including language skills, in line with Australia鈥檚 strategic interests.
- Australian universities leverage institutional partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and there is an expansion of engagement with counterpart institutions in priority host locations and languages.
- Alumni maintain and develop their Indo-Pacific capability, including language skills, and engagement with the region.
Opportunities that are supported by NCP Mobility Grants will be promoted through various ANU Academic College channels including social media, information sessions and Program Brochures.
Applications for ANU Academic College-led program/grants are specific to each program. Your ANU Academic College will provide you with relevant information and guidance when appropriate.
To be eligible for a grant under the NCP Mobility Program and Semester Program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be an Australian citizen
- Not be a current citizen or permanent resident of your proposed host location(s)
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate Bachelor鈥檚 degree at ANU
- Receive ANU Academic Credit Approval for your participation in the program
- Be aged 18 years of age or older (inclusive), noting that:
- The majority of students in the program cohort (70% or greater) must be between the age of 18 and 28 years of age.
- For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students you must be over the age of 18, but there is no age limit.
- That you do not:
- receive more than one NCP grant for the same project
- receive more than two NCP grants (Mobility or Semester Program) during the course of your undergraduate study
- Not be an employee of the branch of DFAT or the contractor that administers the NCP