New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program is a prestigious opportunity that awards up to $107,000 to Australian undergraduate students to study abroad in the Indo-Pacific region.
About the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) aims to lift Australia’s knowledge of the Indo-Pacific by supporting Australian university students to study and undertake internships in the region.
The NCP Scholarship Program provides scholarships to a diverse cohort of Australian university students for overseas programs that include study, internships, mentorships, and language training for up to 19 months in eligible Indo-Pacific host locations.
Since 2014, 31 La Trobe students have been awarded a NCP scholarship.
Eligibility
To qualify you must:
- Be an Australian citizen aged between 18 and 30 years as of 1 January 2026
- Not undertake the scholarship in a host location where you:
- Hold dual citizenship or residency rights, or
- Have previously been a citizen or permanent resident
- Be undertaking a Bachelor’s or Bachelor Honours Degree at the commencement of the scholarship program
- Have a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) score of 60% across all studies at La Trobe
- Be able to demonstrate community service and/or leadership experience.
How to apply
The NCP Scholarship 2026 round is now accepting expressions of interest.
The NCP Scholarship Program application process includes multiple interviews and can take up to 7 months. Here's how to get started:
Learn more about the scholarship, the best program for you, and the application process by attending an Information Session (or watching a recorded one).
Confirm your eligibility and familiarise yourself with the NCP Scholarship guidelines.
When you're ready, Submit your expression of interest.
Commit to the rigorous application process which includes:
- Nomination
- Written component
- La Trobe mock interview
- Virtual interview stages with DFAT in Canberra
Apply for La Trobe's student exchange program to participate in 2026 — either semester 1 or 2.
Obtain credit approval to go on exchange to an eligible host country.
Purchase and undergo a National Police Record Check. This is required as part of the application process.
Be ready to fully participate in the program if successfully selected.
Approximate timeline
April - May
- NCP Scholarship information session.
June
- Expression of interest submission deadline
- La Trobe shortlisting applications (late June)
- Nominated and unsuccessful students notified (late June)
July
- NCP university nominations
August
- NCP student written applications
September
- NCP Australian government applications shortlisted and applicants notified
- La Trobe mock interviews (mid-September)
- NCP virtual interviews (September - October)
November
- All NCP applicants notified of outcome
- Scholars announced (November - December)
Ready to apply?
Before applying, confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria and have carefully reviewed the information provided in the 'Eligibility' and 'How to apply' sections, including all requirements and next steps.
Expressions of interest must be submitted by June 2025.
Contact us
We’re here to help. If you have questions, contact the La Trobe Abroad team.