Facilitating meaningful overseas experiences
UQ academic and professional staff are encouraged to submit applications for the 2027 round of the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility and Semester Programs. DFAT will be accepting applications for the next round for delivery. This page is for UQ staff members.
If you are a student interested in the NCP Scholarship Program, please refer to the scholarship program page.
Overview
Since 2014, more than 2,500 UQ students have participated in New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility and Semester programs, receiving over $8.8 million in funding to support engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Updates to the NCP Program have introduced a stronger focus on longer-term, immersive experiences, Asian language capability, and strategic alignment with Australia’s Indo-Pacific priorities.
The NCP supports two grant programs for outbound student mobility:
- Mobility Program – short-term, credit-bearing experiences of 4–9 weeks, including study, practicums, internships, and research
- Semester Program – one- or two-semester, credit-bearing experiences leveraging UQ’s international partnerships to deliver deeper, more immersive engagement
Both programs support Australian undergraduate students to undertake study, practicums, internships and research in the Indo-Pacific region. All activities must:
- occur within the approved grant period
- provide academic credit or contribute towards degree requirements for funded students
UQ's internal application process for the 2027 NCP Mobility and Semester Program rounds will open soon.
NCP Mobility Program
The NCP Mobility Program provides short-term, credit-bearing opportunities for Australian undergraduate students to engage with the Indo-Pacific region through immersive experiences of 4–9 weeks.
These experiences include structured learning activities such as internships, practicums and research projects, designed to strengthen students’ Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy. The program supports the development of practical, job-ready skills while contributing to Australia’s broader strategic, economic, and cultural engagement with the region.
NCP Mobility Program Priority Areas
It is anticipated that approximately $7.8 million will be available for the NCP Mobility Program for the 2026–27 financial year, including 10 per cent administration funding for universities.
Priority in the selection process for the 2027 NCP Mobility Program will be accorded to:
Projects in priority Indo-Pacific locations
Mobility projects undertaken in priority host locations outlined in the NCP Mobility Program Guidelines, with continued emphasis on alignment to Australian Government foreign policy priorities, including engagement with Pacific host locations.Vietnam-focused language pathways
Projects that create Vietnamese language pathways, supporting a pipeline of students with cultural and employment connections to Vietnam.Asian language-focused projects
Projects where the primary focus is the study of an Asian language (in addition to Vietnamese). All NCP programs, including the Mobility Program, have a 15% language target.First Nations engagement
Projects that support participation and engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, or incorporate First Nations perspectives and partnerships within Indo-Pacific mobility experiences.
Projects demonstrating clear alignment with one or more of the above priorities will be more competitive.
NCP Semester Program
The NCP Semester Program provides Australian undergraduate students with the opportunity to undertake one- or two-semester, credit-bearing study in the Indo-Pacific region, leveraging UQ’s established international partnerships.
The program delivers longer-term, immersive experiences that strengthen students’ Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy. In addition to academic study, programs may incorporate language learning, internships, and placements, enabling students to gain deeper regional understanding, develop job-ready skills, and contribute to Australia’s broader engagement with the Indo-Pacific.
NCP Semester Program Priority Areas
It is anticipated that approximately $23.5 million will be available for the NCP Semester Program for the 2026–27 financial year, including 20 per cent administration funding for universities.
Priority in the selection process for the 2027 NCP Semester Program will be accorded to:
Projects aligned with priority locations, sectors, and languages
Projects delivered in priority host locations, languages, and sectors outlined in the NCP Guidelines, aligned with Australian Government foreign policy priorities, including Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and A New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India.Asian language capability
Projects where the primary focus is the study of an Asian language. All NCP programs, including the Semester Program, have a 15% language target.High-quality, partnership-based delivery
Programs that leverage strong institutional partnerships to deliver integrated study, internship, and placement opportunities, supporting deeper and more sustained engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
Projects demonstrating clear alignment with these priority areas will be more competitive.
Contact us
gex@uq.edu.au