ARES Scholarship 2027/28 in Belgium | Fully Funded

The ARES Scholarship in Belgium is open to applications from professionals in developing countries. Funded by the Government of Belgium through the Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES), this fully funded scholarship offers specialized Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees, and continuing education courses at higher education institutions within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. The scholarship covers round-trip international travel, a living allowance, tuition fees, visa costs, and comprehensive insurance. Applicants must be permanent residents and currently working in one of 32 eligible countries, hold a higher education degree, and have at least two years of relevant professional experience. Program duration is up to one year for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and up to six months for continuing education courses. Check the official ARES website for the current application deadline. Read on for complete details about ARES Belgium Scholarships eligibility, financial benefits, available programs, and how to apply.

ARES Scholarship - Belgium Government Scholarship for Developing Countries

Do you already hold a higher education degree? Are you looking to gain professional experience and sharpen your skills in a field that supports global development? The ARES Scholarship in Belgium offers exactly that opportunity.

The Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES) is the federation of higher education institutions of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium. As an umbrella organization, ARES coordinates the higher education sector across the French-speaking region of Belgium. It also manages funding from the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD) to run academic cooperation projects with partner countries.

The ARES International Training Scholarships are part of a five-year cooperation programme. They offer a range of international study opportunities, including:

1. A specialized Bachelor's degree (one year)
2. A specialized Master's degree (one year)
3. A six-month continuing professional development course

All programs take place at leading higher education institutions within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, including Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Université de Liège (ULiège), Université de Mons (UMons), and Université de Namur (UNamur).

If you're a mid-career professional from a developing country looking to deepen your skills in development-related fields, this fully funded scholarship could be your gateway to studying in Belgium.

In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know about the ARES Scholarship: financial benefits, eligibility criteria, available programs, and the step-by-step application process.

You can also apply in Finland for Studies - Study in Finland Without IELTS on Scholarship (Fully Funded])

ARES Scholarship Details at a Glance

1. Scholarship Name: ARES International Training Scholarships
2. Host Country: Belgium
3. Host Region: Wallonia-Brussels Federation
4. Funded By: Government of Belgium (through ARES)
5. Degree Levels: Specialized Bachelor's, Specialized Master's, Continuing Education
6. Program Duration: Bachelor's/Master's - 1 year; Continuing Education - up to 6 months
7. Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
8. Eligible Applicants: Professionals from 32 partner countries
9. Work Experience Requirement: Minimum 2 years
10. Application Deadline: Check official ARES website for current cycle
11. GIRAF Account Creation Cutoff: Check official ARES website for current cycle
12. Application Platform: GIRAF

Financial Benefits: What the ARES Scholarship Covers

Selected scholars receive comprehensive financial support, covering nearly all costs associated with studying in Belgium.

For Specialized Bachelor's and Master's Degrees:

1. International travel expenses - Round-trip airfare to and from Belgium
2. Subsistence allowance - Monthly living stipend to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses
3. Tuition fees - Full coverage of registration and tuition fees
4. Visa application fees - Costs related to visa applications
5. Insurance costs - Comprehensive health and accident insurance

For Continuing Education Courses:

1. International travel expenses
2. Subsistence allowance
3. Indirect mission costs - Program-related expenses
4. Insurance costs

Important: The scholarship is fully funded, covering all major expenses so you can focus entirely on your studies and professional development.

You can also apply in Netherlands for Studies - Scholarships in Netherlands Without IELTS (Full Guide)

Objectives of the ARES International Training Program

The ARES International Training Scholarships are designed to achieve specific development goals, including:

1. Increasing the qualification level of participants
2. Empowering people in their countries of origin
3. Strengthening interpersonal and professional networks
4. Improving the capacity of scholars' home institutions
5. Highlighting international development themes
6. Promoting the expertise and experience of training course participants
7. Enabling scholarship holders to become agents of change in their home institutions and society, in favor of development

These objectives reflect Belgium's broader commitment to international development cooperation and capacity building in partner countries.

 

Available Programs for the ARES Scholarship

The ARES program offers courses designed to address practical global challenges, ranging from environmental management to human rights.

Specialized Bachelor's Degree (1 Program)

1. Digital Integrated Supply Chain

Specialized Master's Degrees (8 Programs)

• Human Rights
• Integrated Health Risk Management
• International and Development Economics
• Microfinance
• Public Health Sciences - Analysis and Evaluation of International Health Policies, Programs, and Systems
• Food Chain Safety Management
• Preventive Conservation and Collection Management
• Risk and Disaster Management in the Anthropocene Era

Continuing Education Certificate (1 Program)

• Cybersecurity Operations and Risk Governance

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Who Can Apply for the ARES Scholarship? (Eligibility Criteria)

To qualify for the ARES Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following requirements.

Nationality and Residency

1. Be a permanent resident and work in one of the 32 eligible countries
2. Exception: Palestinian nationals are eligible even if they do not reside in one of the 32 countries

Eligible Countries (32 Countries)

Africa: South Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda, DR Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zimbabwe

South America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru

Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam

Asia: Palestinian Territory

Academic Requirements

1. Hold a higher education degree
2. Must have held the relevant academic degree for no more than 20 years prior to the start of the program
3. This maximum period is extended by one year for each birth and/or adoption
4. Meet the specific admission requirements for the chosen program (detailed on the official ARES website)

Professional Experience

1. Demonstrate relevant professional occupation in one of the 32 eligible countries
2. Minimum of two years of professional experience after the last higher education diploma and before the application deadline

Language Requirements

1. Complete the application in the language in which the training is provided
2. Demonstrate good written and spoken command of that language
3. Basic knowledge of French is helpful for daily life integration in Belgium

Other Requirements

1. Apply to only one training program

You can also apply in Germany for Studies - DAAD Scholarships in Germany (Full Guide)

 

Documents Required for the ARES Scholarship Application

Prepare the following documents for your application:

1. Two recommendation letters (academic and/or professional)
2. Certified copies of original diplomas
3. Certified copies of original transcripts for all years of study
4. Proof of occupancy for the last 5 years (residence/work certificates)
5. Certificate of nationality or copy of passport
6. Pre-project - required for certain courses (check course-specific admission conditions)

You can also apply in Finland for Studies - Chevening Scholarship in UK [Fully Funded Scholarships]

How to Apply for the ARES Scholarship: Step-by-Step Application Guide

Follow these steps to apply for the ARES Scholarship.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

1. Confirm you are a permanent resident and working in one of the 32 eligible countries
2. Ensure you meet the academic and professional experience requirements

Step 2: Choose Your Program

1. Review the list of available programs (1 specialized Bachelor's, 8 specialized Master's, and 1 continuing education course)
2. Ensure the program aligns with your professional background and development goals

Step 3: Create a GIRAF Account

1. Visit the official ARES GIRAF platform via www.ares-ac.be
2. Create an account and have it validated by ARES
3. New accounts must be validated before you can start a draft application, so register early

Step 4: Complete the Application Form

1. Log in to your GIRAF account
2. Go to "Competitive Calls" > select "Application – International Training 2027-2028"
3. Fill out the application form carefully
4. You can save your progress and return to the form multiple times before submitting

Step 5: Upload Required Documents

1. Upload all supporting documents as specified in the application form
2. Ensure all documents are certified copies where required

Step 6: Review and Submit

1. Review your application thoroughly before submitting
2. Click "Submit my application"
3. After submission, your application appears under "My submitted files" - but it cannot be modified, so double-check everything first

Step 7: Wait for Results

1. Applications are reviewed by the ARES selection committee
2. Successful applicants will be notified directly

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ARES Scholarship Selection Criteria: What Reviewers Look For

Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Quality of academic career - Academic performance and qualifications
2. Professional experience - Relevance and quality of work experience
3. Connection to a partner institution - Ties to home institutions
4. Potential to become an agent of change - Ability to contribute to development in the home country
5. Nationality criteria - Alignment with ARES partner countries
6. Gender balance - ARES promotes gender diversity among scholars
7. Ability to transfer knowledge and skills - Personal and professional capacity to share what's learned

Important Dates for the ARES Scholarship 2027/28

1. Applications Open - 3 August 2026
2. Application Deadline - 18 September 2026, 12:00 noon (Belgian time)

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Tips for a Strong ARES Scholarship Application

1. Start early - GIRAF account creation and validation take time, so don't wait until the deadline
2. Choose your program carefully - You can apply to only one course
3. Get your documents certified - Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts are required
4. Check language requirements - Complete your application in the language of the training program
5. Highlight your professional experience - At least two years of relevant experience is required
6. Show your development impact - Demonstrate how the training will benefit your home country
7. Proofread everything - Spelling and grammar errors can weaken a strong application

Conclusion

The ARES Scholarship 2027/28 in Belgium offers a fully funded opportunity for professionals from developing countries to pursue specialized Bachelor's, Master's, or continuing education programs at top Belgian universities. With comprehensive financial support including international travel, living allowance, tuition fees, visa costs, and insurance, this scholarship removes financial barriers for talented individuals committed to development.

The program is open to professionals from 32 eligible countries who have a higher education degree and at least two years of relevant professional experience. The application process is conducted through the GIRAF platform, with a deadline of 18 September 2026.

If you are a mid-career professional looking to deepen your skills in development-related fields, do not miss this opportunity.

Your journey to Belgium starts here.

Why Choose the ARES Scholarship?

1. Fully funded - All major expenses covered
2. Prestigious universities - Study at top institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
3. Development-focused - Programs designed to address global challenges
4. Career advancement - Gain specialized skills and knowledge
5. International network - Connect with professionals and experts from around the world
6. Belgium experience - Study in the heart of Europe