The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program
*Disclaimer
This program is for an overseas program for commencement in 2023 and can be up to 18 months in duration.
What is the New Colombo Plan?
In partnership with DFAT, The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region.
New Colombo Plan Scholarships are highly competitive and prestigious merit scholarships of up to AU$60,000.
Scholars receive a dedicated case manager, internship and networking opportunities, and training from the Australian Government departments. Scholars must undertake a credited exchange or study abroad program in the Indo-Pacific, and typically conduct internships, mentorships, language training and community advocacy while abroad.
New Colombo Plan Scholarship Objectives:
- lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by increasing the number of Australian undergraduate students undertaking study and Internships in the region
- deepen Australia's people-to-people and institutional relationships with the region, through the engagement of students, universities, businesses and other stakeholder networks in the New Colombo Plan Program
- establish study in the Indo-Pacific as a rite of passage for Australian undergraduate students, and as an endeavour that is highly valued by the Australian community, and
- increase the number of work-ready Australian graduates with regional experience.
Scholarship Amount:
- Tuition fees to cover the cost of Language Training (up to six months for a maximum of $10,000), Scholars undertaking less than one month of full-time language training concurrent with another full-time program component, may have Language Training tuition fees paid up to a maximum of $1,500.
- Travel Allowance of $2500 to contribute to scholar's travel costs to and from Host Location
- Establishment Allowance of $2500 to contribute to costs of settling into Host Location
- A monthly stipend of $2500 to contribute to the Scholar's basic living costs in their Host Location
40 Host Locations:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, 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
Area of Study:
Dependent on what your degree program and what the host institution has available.
Length of Program:
6 months - 18 months
Please see the following important documents provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade:
NCP 2022 Advice to Applicants
NCP 2023 Guidelines
To be eligible to apply, students must:
- be an Australian Citizen
- be enrolled in a Macquarie University undergraduate degree
- be between 18 - 30 years of age on 1 January 2023 for non-Indigenous Applicants, or between 18 and 35 years of age for Indigenous Applicants, on 1 January 2023
- have a minimum WAM of 70 or above
- have completed 60 credit points (6 units) by end of Session 2, 2022
- not be a previous NCP Scholarship Program recipient (if you have previously received funds under an NCP Mobility program you are still eligible)
Please ensure to read below tab to see application instructions.
Want to see how the New Colombo Plan Scholarship program can benefit your future career?
Our 2014 Scholar - Cindy Huang explains in the video below.
How to apply:
Step 1 Applicants are required to fill in the Expression of Interest form through this link here, and then attach your CV and written statement on the form by 11:59 PM, Wednesday, the 18th of May 2022.
The statement needs to meet the following criteria :
- Maximum 2-3 pages in length with your name and student number.
- The statement needs to address all the four criteria below:
- (1) Demonstrate academic excellence at the tertiary level (25% Weighting)
Assessment of this criterion will relate to:
a) the applicant’s graded average achieved in tertiary studies, and
b) to ungraded academic achievements, such as academic awards and commendations, publications, or other examples of academic excellence at the tertiary level. The applicant’s communication skills, higher-order cognitive and critical thinking skills, and engagement in learning will also be assessed. High School academic achievements will not be considered. - (2) Demonstrate leadership in the community (25% Weighting)
Assessment of this criterion will relate to the applicant’s demonstrated leadership in the community, including volunteer and not-for-profit roles and/or activities they have undertaken in their local community, nationally, overseas and/or in their university. - (3) Demonstrate adaptability and resilience (25% Weighting)
Assessment of this criterion will relate to the applicant’s ability to adapt to change, thrive in a different environment, and demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges. - (4) Demonstrate the ability to contribute to the New Colombo Plan’s Goals (25% Weighting)
Assessment of this criterion will relate to the applicant’s understanding of the New Colombo Plan's objectives, and how the applicant and their proposed Exchange Program would contribute to the New Colombo Plan's goals
- (1) Demonstrate academic excellence at the tertiary level (25% Weighting)
Step 2 If shortlisted, applicants will be invited to attend a 15-minute interview at Macquarie International during early July 2022 .
Step 3 10 shortlisted applicants will be be nominated to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Trade in Canberra to send in their complete application. The 10 shortlisted applicants will be notified in late July 2022 .
Step 4 If successful, students will then be invited to be flown to Canberra for an interview or via Zoom depending on the circumstances.
Step 5 Students who pass the final interview stage in Canberra or via Zoom become New Colombo Plan Scholars.
Macquarie University offers other mobility grants including NCP Mobility Scholarships, and Macquarie University Mobility Grants for semester or short-term programs to Asia. For students who are unsuccessful with NCP Scholarship Program, we may be able to offer you alternative opportunities and grants to study in Asia as part of your degree
We strongly recommend that you have a read of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship guidelines here, before applying to assist you in your application. You are also strongly encouraged to consult an academic adviser for your degree progression, to ensure that you have a sufficient amount of units in your degree to go on an exchange program in 2021.
Want to know more about the New Colombo Scholarship Program?
For further information about what the New Colombo Scholarship program involves, please see link here. The program is very comprehensive so make sure you know some background for your application statement.
NCP Scholars' Testimonials
Click the below links to find out more about our previous NCP scholars' experience:
2022 NCP Scholars
| Name | Destination | Degree |
|---|---|---|
Manar Al-Ogaidi  | Indonesia University of Indonesia | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) |
Max Gale | Vanuatu University of the South Pacific, Port Vila | Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management with the degree of Bachelor of Laws |
Roanne Gonzales | Singapore National University of Singapore | Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship with the degree of Bachelor of Laws |
Suraya Newell | Malaysia Taylor's University | Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Digital Audio and Broadcast Production with Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Sciences |
Harine Somasundaram
| Nepal
| Bachelor of Arts in Environment, Society and Law and Bachelor of Laws |
Ziyan Tejani | Singapore National University of Singapore | Bachelor of Social Science in Politics with the degree of Bachelor of Laws |
Pume Van Den Bempt  | China
| Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies and Bachelor of Laws |
Anna Williams | Indonesia
| Bachelor of Environment in Environmental Management and Bachelor of Laws |
Kingston Wong | Republic of Korea
| Bachelor of Business Leadership and Commerce in Accounting |
2021 NCP Scholars
| Name | Destination | Degree |
|---|---|---|
Sana Ali  | Fiji University of the South Pacific, Fiji | Bachelor of Social Science / Bachelor of Laws |
Liam Holt  | Nepal Kathmandu School of Law | Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws |
Fatima Idaayen  | Indonesia BINUS University | Bachelor of Psychology |
Paul Kaletsis  | Vanuatu University of the South Pacific, Port Vila | Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws |
Kyle McIndoe  | Cambodia Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia | Bachelor of Psychology / Bachelor of Laws |
Ryan Murray | Fiji University of the South Pacific, Fiji | Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws |
Vishishta Ramanathan | Taiwan National Taiwan University | Bachelor of Security Studies / Bachelor of Laws |
2020 NCP Scholars
| Name | Destination | Degree |
|---|---|---|
Darcy Dunkin | Hong Kong University of Hong Kong Mr Dunkin plans to undertake an internship with Herbert Smith Freehills. | Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Laws |
Aidan Dunphy-Smith | Japan Rikkyo University Plans to undertake an internship with Hokkaido Japanese Language School | Bachelor of Arts |
Molly Glendenning | Indonesia Universitas Gadjah Mada Plans to undertake an internship with the Indonesian Women’s Coalition for Justice and Democracy. | Bachelor of Social Science |
Danielle Le Large | Thailand Thammasat University | Bachelor of Laws |
Joshua Santos | Vietnam Vietnam National University Plans to undertake internships with Sapa O’Chau in rural Vietnam, ASEAN entities in Thailand and Indonesia, a TV broadcaster in Mongolia and a mentorship with Nicholas Lee - Country Representative at the Global Peace Foundation | Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Arts - Psychology |
2019 NCP Scholars
| Name | Destination | Degree |
|---|---|---|
Nicholas de Bres  | Brunei Universiti Brunei Darussalam Undertook a mentorship with Her Excellency Nicola Rosenblum, Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, and an internship in Singapore at KPMG in corporate governance and sustainability. | Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws |
Joshua Gacutan | Hong Kong University of Hong Kong Undertook internships with commercial law firms in Hong Kong, China and Singapore and engage in a mentorship with David Bennet, IP Australia’s first IP Counsellor to China | Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws |
Fraser Lawrance  | Thailand Thammasat University Undertook an internship at a regional Southeast Asia law firm, focusing on dispute resolution. | Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) |
2018 NCP Scholars
| Name | Destination | Degree |
|---|---|---|
Mark Avery | Japan Undertook an internship with a technology company in Japan. | Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) |
Benjamin Edwards | Indonesia Undertook an internship within the field of criminology. | Bachelor of Security Studies |
Serge Nassif  | India Undertook an internship at the Centre for Law and Policy Research in Bangalore. | Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws |
Phoebe Rollin | Malaysia Undertook an internship with the South-East Asian division of the United Nation Environmental Program in Thailand. | Bachelor of Environment |
2017 NCP Scholars
| Name | Destination | Degree |
|---|---|---|
Michael Kelly | Nepal Undertook an internship with Jack’s Lab Ventures. | Bachelor of Commerce |
Cissy Shen | Thailand Undertook an internship with Amnesty International. | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)/Bachelor of Human Sciences |
Alec Tonkin | Indonesia | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)/Bachelor of Laws |
2016 NCP Scholars
| Name | Destination | Internship |
|---|---|---|
Susanna Batchelder | Malaysia University of Malaya Undertook an internship with a local education NGO and the United Nations high commissioner for refugees | Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Education |
Emma Jackson  | Singapore National University of Singapore Undertook an internship in the field of environmental engineering in Indonesia. | Bachelor of Engineering / Bachelor of Commerce |
Leonie Nahhas | Singapore | Bachelor of Arts - Psychology / Bachelor of Education |
Jennifer Tridgell | Hong Kong Undertook internships at the High Court of Hong Kong, a law firm in Beijing and the Philippines Commission on Human Rights. | Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws |
2014 NCP Scholars
| Name | Destination | Degree |
|---|---|---|
Cindy Huang | Japan Undertook internships at J-See and NAB in Tokyo. | Bachelor of Arts (Japanese Studies) and Bachelor of Laws |
Sharfah Mohamed | Singapore Undertook internships at BHP Billiton and Telstra in Singapore. | Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Laws |
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Summary
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Area of study
Business; Education; Engineering and IT; Environment; Health and medical sciences; Law, security and intelligence; Media, creative arts, and communication; Science; Society, history and languages
Eligibility
Has a GPA requirement
Tags
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Benefits
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Value
Up to $60,000 AUD
Phone
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Email
mi.exchange@mq.edu.au
Apply URL
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/52dafd416c944f688b27b546f9949c72
Level of study
Undergraduate