New Colombo Plan 2016 Mobility Grants Announced

24 Jul 2015 Media release

More than 5450 Australian students will have the opportunity to live, study and undertake work placements in our region in 2016, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, and the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP announced today.

“The latest round of New Colombo Plan mobility grants will send Australian undergraduate students to 28 different locations in the Indo-Pacific,” Minister Bishop said.

“This will bring the total number of students funded by the New Colombo Plan to more than 10,000 in just the first three years of the program.

“As a result, 10,000 young Australians are learning more about our immediate region and developing skills and understanding that provide new insights and perspectives for their future careers.

“In turn, Australia is investing in the next generation of leaders who will continue to build on our important relationships within our region,” Minister Bishop said.

New Colombo Plan mobility grants are awarded to Australian universities, which then select undergraduate students to participate in study and work-based experiences in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mobility projects are open to students from any discipline, and range from short-term study tours to semester-based study and internships.

“In 2016 New Colombo Plan mobility grants will support students to pursue studies in a diverse range of disciplines including engineering, law, business, nursing, education and agriculture – to name just a few,” Minister Pyne said.

“The New Colombo Plan is increasing education links across the Indo-Pacific, a key ambition of Government reflected in its draft National Strategy for International Education,” Minister Pyne said.

The mobility grant offers will be made to Australian universities in early August, after which full details of projects to be funded will be published at www.dfat.gov.au/new-colombo-plan

The Australian Government has committed more than $100 million in new funding over five years to implement the New Colombo Plan, which includes both the mobility grants program as well as a prestigious scholarships program.