Application Are Now Open for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium 2027/28 intake for International students who wants to Pursue their specialized Bachelor’s, Master’s, and training courses in Belgium to Apply.The specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s programs last one year, while training courses last six months. This program aims to deepen skills and knowledge in development-related topics; it is not a full-time degree program. The ARES Scholarship is funded by the Government of Belgium, specifically through the Federation of Wallonia-Brussels. Applicants must have already obtained a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree.
What Are the Important Details of the ARES Scholarship?
| Scholarship Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | ARES International Training Scholarships |
| Host Country | Belgium |
| Funding Organization | ARES / Academy for Research and Higher Education |
| Study Location | Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Belgium |
| Study Level | Specialized Bachelor’s, Specialized Master’s & Continuing Training |
| Scholarship Type | Fully Funded |
| Programme Duration | 1 year for specialized Bachelor’s/Master’s; 2–6 months for training |
| Eligible Countries | Selected ARES partner countries |
| Number of Programmes | 1 specialized Bachelor’s, 10 specialized Master’s and 6 continuing training courses |
| Application Fee | Free |
| Application Platform | GIRAF |
| Application Deadline | 18 September 2026 |
| Academic Year | 2027/28 |
What Does the ARES Scholarship Cover?
- Round-trip international travel.
- Living Allowance.
- Visa application fees (for bachelor’s and specialized master’s degrees).
- Tuition fees (for bachelor’s and specialized master’s degrees).
- Miscellaneous program-related costs (for continuing education).
- Comprehensive insurance coverage.
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Which Study Programmes Are Available Under ARES?
Do you already have a higher education degree? Are you looking to gain professional experience and sharpen your skills in a field that helps with global development?
If so, the ARES scholarships offer a fantastic opportunity! You can apply to:
- Study for one year to get an advanced bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- Take a shorter training course (from two to six months) to boost your knowledge.
All these programs take place at top higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium.
Number of Courses
- One specialized Bachelor’s Program.
- Ten Specialized Master’s Programs.
- Six continuing training courses.
Who Can Apply for the ARES Scholarship?
- Be a citizen, resident, and employee of one of the 32 ARES partner-eligible countries.
- Hold a higher education diploma.
- Possess at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country.
Which Countries Are Eligible for the ARES Scholarship?
- In Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, DR Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
- In South America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru.
- Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam.
- In Asia: Palestine.
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What Documents Are Required for the ARES Scholarship?
- 2 recommendation letters (academic and/or professional)
- Certified copies of original diplomas
- Certified copies of original transcripts for all years
- Proof of occupancy for the last 5 years
- Certificate of nationality or copy of passport
- Pre-project (for certain courses – see course-specific admission conditions).
How Can You Apply for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium?
After logging into your GIRAF account, navigate to:
“Application for international training” → “My tasks” → “Competitive calls”
The ARES application form should be available in this section during the relevant application period.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ARES Scholarship
What is the ARES Scholarship in Belgium?
The ARES Scholarship is a Belgian-funded international training scholarship that supports eligible applicants from ARES partner countries to undertake specialized Bachelor’s, specialized Master’s or continuing training programmes in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
Is the ARES Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The published scholarship information describes the ARES International Training Scholarship as fully funded and lists support including international travel, living allowance and insurance, with tuition and visa-related support for qualifying programmes.
When is the ARES Scholarship 2027/28 deadline?
The published deadline is 18 September 2026.
Can Tanzanian students apply for the ARES Scholarship?
Yes. Tanzania is included among the eligible African countries listed for the 2027/28 ARES scholarship.
Can applicants from Africa apply for ARES?
Yes. Several African countries are included in the ARES partner-country list.
Do I need a university degree to apply for ARES?
Yes. Applicants are required to hold a higher education diploma, with specific academic requirements depending on the programme.
How much professional experience is required?
Applicants generally need at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country, although the exact requirement can depend on the programme.
Is there an ARES PhD scholarship under this programme?
The ARES International Training Scholarships described for 2027/28 cover specialized Bachelor’s, specialized Master’s and continuing training opportunities rather than a standard PhD scholarship.
How long does an ARES specialized Master’s programme last?
A specialized Master’s programme generally lasts one academic year.
How long do ARES continuing training courses last?
Continuing training courses can last between two and six months, depending on the selected course.
Does ARES pay tuition fees?
Tuition fees are included for the qualifying specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes listed under the scholarship.
Does ARES provide a living allowance?
Yes. A living allowance is included among the scholarship benefits.
Does ARES cover international travel?
Yes. The published scholarship information includes round-trip international travel.
Does ARES cover visa costs?
Visa application fees are covered for qualifying specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.
Does the ARES Scholarship include health insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive insurance coverage is included among the listed benefits.
Is the ARES Scholarship application free?
Yes. Applicants do not pay an application fee to apply for the ARES scholarship.
Where is the ARES Scholarship application submitted?
Applications are submitted online through the GIRAF platform.
Can I edit my application after submitting it?
No. Once an application has been submitted, the published instructions state that applicants can view it under “My submitted files” but cannot make changes.
How many recommendation letters are required?
Two recommendation letters are listed among the required documents. They can be academic and/or professional.
Do I need certified academic documents?
Yes. Certified copies of original diplomas and transcripts are listed among the required application documents.
Do I need a passport to apply for ARES?
Applicants need to provide proof of nationality, which can be a certificate of nationality or a copy of a passport.
Does every ARES course require a pre-project?
No. A pre-project is required for certain courses according to their specific admission conditions.
Can professionals apply for the ARES Scholarship?
Yes. The programme is designed for eligible applicants with higher education qualifications and relevant professional experience.
Can I apply to ARES without professional experience?
Generally, applicants must meet the professional-experience requirement, which is listed as at least two years for the relevant programme categories.
Is Belgium the host country for the ARES Scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship programmes are hosted by higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium.
How many ARES programmes are available for 2027/28?
The published information lists one specialized Bachelor’s programme, ten specialized Master’s programmes and six continuing training courses.
Who funds the ARES Scholarship?
The ARES International Training programme is administered by the Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES) within the Belgian higher education and development-cooperation framework.
Where can I find the official ARES application?
Applicants should use the official ARES GIRAF application platform for the scholarship application.
