The University of Queensland (UQ) has secured its largest-ever funding allocation through the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan (NCP).
In the 2026 NCP funding round, UQ will support over 150 students, including a record number of NCP Scholars, to undertake immersive study, intensive language training, and internships with hosts across the Indo-Pacific.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) announced funding outcomes for the NCP Scholarship, Semester, and Mobility Programs following recent reforms designed to enhance Australia’s regional capability, particularly in Asian language and cultural literacy.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC said these immersive experiences will create a larger cohort of Australians with strong regional knowledge and cultural understanding.
“The New Colombo Plan provides students with transformative opportunities that develop regional knowledge and cultural awareness, strengthen language skills, and foster deep connections across the Indo-Pacific,” Professor Terry said.
“These experiences not only enrich our students’ education but also contribute to Australia’s long-term engagement and prosperity in the region.”
Nationally, the 2026 NCP round will deliver more than 300 scholarships to Australian undergraduates - almost double the number awarded in 2025.
This includes a record-breaking number of students undertaking long-term study programs in Asian languages such as Bahasa Indonesian, Mandarin, Japanese, and Vietnamese. In addition, a new Semester Program will offer 1,247 student grants, complementing 1,635 grants under the existing Mobility Program.
Scholarships
NCP Scholarships were awarded to 33 UQ students - the largest cohort in UQ’s history. Each scholarship, valued at up to $107,000, supports immersive study, internships, and language training.
Scholars will participate in pre-departure workshops throughout December, with several commencing their programs as early as mid-January 2026.
This success follows the launch of UQ’s NCP Scholarship Preparatory Program, which has strengthened student readiness and competitiveness.
UQ’s NCP Scholars have selected 5 destinations: Cook Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Singapore.
New Semester Program
The newly introduced NCP Semester Program will enable UQ students to undertake extended experiences of one to two semesters in the region. UQ secured $648,000 in funding across 6 projects, supporting 36 students between January 2026 and July 2028. This includes increased administrative support to expand Indo-Pacific capability and priority Asian language offerings.
UQ students will have 5 destinations to choose from: China, Fiji, India, Japan, and Singapore.
Mobility Program
In the 2026 round, UQ received more than $395,000 to enable more than 80 students to participate in short-term internships, mentorships, research placements, and language training across the Indo-Pacific.
UQ students will have 9 destinations to choose from: Indonesia, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Japan, China, Malaysia, Fiji, and Vietnam.
Congratulations to all selected students.
