The New Colombo Plan Mobility Program

The New Colombo Plan Mobility Program 2021

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program provides funding opportunities for Australian universities and consortia to provide grants to Australian undergraduate students to participate in semester based or short term study, internships, mentorships, practicums and research in 40 host locations across the Indo-Pacific region.

In the 2021 funding round, approximately $22 million in funding is available for Australian universities to support students to engage in study opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region. Projects that support long term study, short term projects of more than 6 weeks in duration, internships, consortia projects, language acquisition and those that attract private sector in-kind or financial sponsorship will be prioritised. Multi-term funding will be available for mobility projects that may be awarded to deliver a project for up to three years.

The program is open to Australian undergraduates aged 18-28 at Australian universities, with capacity to include some students aged over 28.

What is a Mobility Project?

Mobility Projects can include one or more of the following:

• Semester-based study
• Short-term study (> 2 weeks and < a semester)
• Practicums
• Clinical placements
• Internships and mentorships
• Short-term research.
• Study Tours

Host Locations

Mobility Projects may be conducted in the following 40 eligible Indo-Pacific Host Locations:

Eligibility

A Student participating in a Mobility Project must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• be an Australian citizen. Students cannot receive a Student Grant to undertake a Mobility Project in a Host Location in which they have dual citizenship or residency rights
• be enrolled in an on-shore campus of an Australian University throughout the duration of the Mobility Project
• be undertaking a Bachelor Degree (level 7) or Bachelor Honours Degree (level 8) as defined by the Australian Qualifications Framework at the commencement of their Mobility Project.

At least 70 per cent of Students participating in any given Mobility Project must be aged 18 to 28 inclusive at the commencement of their Mobility Project. Up to 30 per cent of Students may be over the age of 28. Students under the age of 18 cannot participate in any Mobility Project.

2021 Priorities and Changes

In the 2021 round the New Colombo Plan Mobility Program’s strategic objectives are to:

• support more study experiences in as many Indo-Pacific locations as possible
• fund innovative Mobility Projects that facilitate increased student mobility to the region and new or strengthened partnerships between universities and other organisations
• encourage a substantial number of Students to undertake longer-term study, in-country language study and Internships
• encourage private sector collaboration and sponsorship of the Program
• engage New Colombo Plan Students, universities, and other stakeholders in public diplomacy and outreach
• enable a diverse range of Australian undergraduates to develop a greater understanding of the Indo-Pacific region and build people to people links
• continue to develop an active alumni community for students to share their experiences, promote the New Colombo Plan and continue to develop knowledge of and professional links within the Indo-pacific region

The Program will prioritise funding of Mobility Projects that entail private sector in-kind support or financial sponsorship (beyond provision of Internships or Mentorships) to support universities to strengthen collaboration with the private sector, local and international, in increasing student mobility to the Indo-Pacific.

Program Funding

Short-term Grants

Short-term Grants enable Students to participate in Mobility Projects in an eligible primary Host Location that:

• are a minimum of two weeks (14 days) in duration, and
• provide course credit/ count towards the requirements for the Australian course of study in which the student is enrolled.

A Short-term Grant provides $3000 per Student.

Short-term Grants

Short-term Grants enable Students to participate in Mobility Projects in an eligible primary Host Location that:

• are a minimum of two weeks (14 days) in duration, and
• provide course credit/ count towards the requirements for the Australian course of study in which the student is enrolled.

A Short-term Grant provides between $1000 and $3000 per Student.

Semester Grant

Semester Grants enable Students to participate in Mobility Projects that:

• entail full-time study overseas for a semester as defined by the host institution
• provide credit/count towards the course requirements for the Australian course of study

A Semester Grant provides between $3000 and $7000 per Student.

Internship Grant

Internship Grants are available for semester-based Mobility Projects that include an Internship component in addition to semester-based study. Additional course credit can be applied at the discretion of the Home Institution, but is not required. An Internship Grant will provide $1000 per Student (which is in addition to a Semester Grant).

Administration Funding

The Applicant may apply for administration funding for each Mobility Project, calculated at 10 per cent of total Student Grants sought for each project. Administration funding can be used for administration purposes such as staff travel or cost of administration associated with Mobility Project management.

Application and Selection Process

University of Newcastle Timeline

Under the 2021 round, Applicants must submit one application per Mobility Project.

If you have any questions or require additional support to complete the application process, please contact Djoeke Van Loon on 4921 7131 or email mobilityscholarships@newcastle.edu.au

STAGE 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI)

EOIs will be accepted after 7th of May, however to allow sufficient time to complete the application form, it is advised to follow the suggested time frame.

STAGE 2 - Application

STAGE 3 - Submission

STAGE 4 - Outcome

Further Information

UON Contact:
Djoeke Van Loon, UON Global
Phone: 02 4921 7131
Email: mobilityscholarships@newcastle.edu.au