The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship is a signature initiative of the Australian Government designed to enhance knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia. It offers an incredible opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the Indo-Pacific region through an exchange program. This prestigious scholarship provides funding for up to 19 months of study, language training, and internships in approved locations across the Indo-Pacific
UNSW is seeking expressions of interest from students planning to participate in a Student Exchange to one of the approved destinations in 2026. The New Colombo Plan Scholarship program can be conducted in approved Indo-Pacific Host locations where UNSW has an Exchange Agreement including P.R. China, India, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. UNSW will nominate approximately 15 students to apply for this prestigious Scholarship Program.
To be eligible for nomination you must
- Be an Australian citizen;
- Not be a current citizen or permanent resident of your proposed host location(s);
- Be enrolled in and undertaking, until completion of all study components of the NCP Scholarship Program, at least one Bachelor Degree or Bachelor Honours Degree;
- Be between 18 and 30 years of age (inclusive) for non-Indigenous applicants, or between 18 and 35 years of age (inclusive) for Indigenous applicants on 1 January 2026;
- Have achieved a minimum 70 per cent graded average or equivalent for your undergraduate course at the time of Application;
- Be planning to undertake a Student Exchange in 2026. The exchange application deadlines are 30 April 2025 for exchange in Term 1 2026 and 18 September 2025 for exchange in Term 3 2026;
- Receive credit from your Exchange towards your UNSW degree;
- Satisfy the NCP Study component;
- Not be a previous recipient of a Scholarship under the NCP Scholarship Program;
- Not be an employee of the branch of DFAT that administers the NCP.
UNSW Exchange Requirements
For UNSW Exchange requirements please see the Applying for Exchange Moodle tutorial.
How to Apply
Please complete the Expression of Interest form by Sunday 11:45pm, 25 May 2025. Late applications cannot be accepted.
Before applying, please ensure you
- Read the New Colombo Plan Scholarship guidelines and Advice to Applicants. As the 2026 guidelines have not yet been released, you should refer to the 2025 guidelines and advice. Once the 2026 guidelines become available, you should refer to them for updated information.
- Review the Applying for Exchange Moodle tutorial and are aware of the Exchange application process, requirements, and deadlines.
More information
For further details:
- Email: advisor4asia@unsw.edu.au
- Refer to Applying for Exchange Moodle tutorial