New Colombo Plan Semester Program 2027

IMPORTANT: Please read the information below to assist you in completing your submission.

Before you begin

Welcome to the New Colombo Plan (NCP)'s online grant application service, powered by SmartyGrants. If this is the first time you are applying using SmartyGrants, click ‘Start a Submission’, then ‘Register here’.

To access the 2027 Round NCP Semester Program Guidelines – which contain information about eligibility requirements, selection processes and  to apply – visit the Current Grant Opportunities page on GrantConnect. If you are new to using GrantConnect, you will need to register to receive a login. 

Please direct any questions during the application period to the NCP Secretariat at ncp.secretariat@dfat.gov.au and quote your submission number. Where relevant, responses will be posted on GrantConnect to ensure information is shared consistently with all applicants.

The NCP Secretariat will not respond to questions received after 5 pm AEST on 21 July 2026.

For technical assistance with the SmartyGrants platform, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out the SmartyGrants Applicant FAQs.

Navigating through the form

On every page of the form you will see a Form Navigation panel. This links directly to each page of the form, so you can click a page name to jump directly to the page you want.

You can also click 'Next Page' or 'Previous Page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the form.

Please ensure you save your form as you go.

Saving a draft

Your form will save each time you click ‘Next Page’, ‘Previous Page’, or any page name on the Form Navigation panel.

If you wish to leave a partially completed form, click 'Save and Close' and log out.

You can reopen your draft form and continue where you left off. When you log back in and click on the My Submissions link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any submissions you have started or submitted. Click the submission number or the arrow icon to expand the list of associated forms, and click on the form name to continue filling it out.

You can also download any form, whether draft or completed, as a PDF. In the ‘My Submissions’ area of your account click on the submission number, then click the red PDF icon beside the form you want to download or, while filling out the form, click on the ‘Download PDF' button located at the top and bottom of the last page (’Review and Submit').

Submitting your form

You will find a Review and Submit page listed at the bottom of the Form Navigation panel. You need to review your form before you can submit it. You will not be able to submit your form until all the required fields are completed and there are no validation errors.

Once you have reviewed your form and corrected any errors you can submit it by clicking on the Submit button at the top or bottom of the screen.

Once you have submitted your form no further editing or uploading of supporting documents is possible.

When you have successfully submitted your form you will see a confirmation page, and you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your submitted form attached. This will be sent to the email address you use to login, or the owner of the submission if you are collaborating on the form.

If you don't see a confirmation page or receive a confirmation email then you should presume that your form has NOT been submitted.

Hint: also check the email hasn't landed in your spam or junk email folder.

You can return to the My Submissions page of your account to view the submission status of the form.

Attachments

You may need to upload/submit attachments to support your application. This is very simple but requires you to have the documents saved on your computer, or on a storage device.

You need to allow enough time for each file to upload before trying to attach another file. Files can be up to 25MB each; however, we do recommend trying to keep files to a maximum of 5MB – the larger the file, the longer the upload time.

Collaborating on your submission

A number of people can collaborate on a submission as long as

1. you have created a SmartyFile Organisation and
2. only one person is working on the form at a time.

Ensure you save as you go.

Session time-out warning

For security reasons, your login session will expire after 20 minutes of inactivity. Saving your form or navigating to another page resets the timer.

You’ll be prompted 90 seconds before your session expires, with the option to extend your session or log out. If you don’t respond to the prompt in time, your form will be automatically saved before your session ends.

Even so, we recommend saving your form regularly – especially when working on longer responses – to avoid losing any work.

2027 New Colombo Plan Semester Program

Overview

Before applying, you must read and understand the 2027 NCP Semester Program Guidelines. The guidelines may be found at GrantConnect. Any alterations or addenda will be published on GrantConnect and by registering on this website, individuals will be automatically notified of any changes to these grant opportunity guidelines. DFAT and/or the services provider may organise industry briefings during the application period for potential applicants.

To apply you must:

• Apply for funding and accept/decline funding through SmartyGrants. Only the applicant’s nominated NCP ILO can submit an application in the system
• Provide all the information requested
• Address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria
• Include all necessary attachments, and
• Submit your application(s) in SmartyGrants by the closing date and time.

You are responsible for ensuring the application is complete and accurate. All responses provided by an applicant must be in their own words. Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). We will investigate any false or misleading information and may exclude your application from further consideration. Further terms relating to the termination or cancellation of a project are set out in the grant agreement.

You cannot change your application after the closing date and time.

SmartyGrants will automatically generate an email to acknowledge receipt of an application. You should keep a copy of your application and any supporting documents.

Joint (consortium) applications

We recognise that some universities may want to join together as a group to deliver a project. A university may submit an application on behalf of a consortium of universities. In these circumstances, you must appoint a ‘lead applicant’. Only the lead applicant can submit the application form and enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. The application must identify all other members of the proposed group.

If a consortium application is selected, the lead applicant will be required to enter into a grant agreement and will be accountable for meeting legal and reporting requirements on behalf of the consortium. The lead applicant must have a formal arrangement in place with all participating universities prior to execution of the grant agreement. The lead applicant should also ensure that all consortium members’ NCP ILOs are aware of the application and the outcome.

You must not apply for funding for the same project in the same round through both an individual and a consortium application.