You can now apply for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium for the 2026/27 academic year. This is a fully funded scholarship, meaning it pays for everything. It is for international students and professionals who want to study in Europe. With this scholarship, you can join special short programs at universities in Belgium. The scholarship is paid for by the Belgian government through the Federation of Wallonia-Brussels.
These programs include: Specialized Bachelor’s or Master’s programs (they last 1 year)
Training courses (they last 6 months)
These are not full-time degree programs, but they help you learn more about development-related topics and improve your skills. To apply, you must already have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. More details are shared below.
Details About ARES Scholarship
- Host Country: Belgium
- Program Name: ARES International Training Scholarships
- Funded by: Agency for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (ARES)
- Benefits: Fully Funded
- Degree Level: Specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s, and Short Training Courses
- Deadline: 19th September 2025
Also Check: (Spring 2026 Intake) Dalarna University Scholarships in Sweden
Financial Benefits
The Program Covers:
- Living Allowance.
- Round-trip international travel.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage.
- Miscellaneous program-related costs (for continuing education).
- Visa application fees (for bachelor’s and specialized master’s degrees).
- Tuition fees (for bachelor’s and specialized master’s degrees).
Also Check: (Study in USA & Globally) AAUW International Fellowship 2026
A Short Information about Scholarships
Do you already have a higher education degree? Do you want to gain professional experience and hone your skills in a field that contributes to global development?
If yes, then the ARES Scholarship is a great opportunity for you! You can apply for:
- Study for a year to obtain an advanced undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
- Take a short training course (two to six months) to expand your knowledge.
- All of these programs are held at higher education institutions of the Wallonia-Brussels Union in Belgium.
Number of Courses
- Six continuing training courses.
- One specialized Bachelor’s Program.
- Ten Specialized Master’s Programs.
Also Check: The Generation Google Scholarship 2025/26
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a citizen, resident, or employee of one of the 31 ARES participant eligible countries.
- Hold a higher education diploma.
- Must have at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country.
Eligible Countries:
Countries that can apply include:
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Benin, Bolivia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cuba, Peru, the Philippines, Guinea (Conakry), the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Palestine, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
List of Required Documents
List of documents required for acceptance of the application:
- 2 recommendation letters (academic and/or professional)
- Proof of occupancy for the last 5 years
- Certified copies of original transcripts for all years
- Certificate of nationality or copy of passport
- Certified copies of original diplomas
- Pre-project (for certain courses – see course-specific admission conditions)
Also Check: Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Scholarship 2026 in Thailand
How to Apply for the ARES Scholarship?
Applying for an ARES scholarship is free. Applications can be made online through the GIRAF platform. Follow these steps to apply:
- Create a GIRAF Account: If you don’t already have one, create a GIRAF account and get it verified by ARES.
- Get the application form: Log in to your GIRAF account and go to “Apply for International Training” > “My Tasks” > “Competitive Calls” to get the application form.
- Complete the application: Fill out the application form. You can save and refer back to it several times before submitting it.
- Submit your application: When you’ve completed your application, click “Submit my application”. After you submit your application, you can view your application in “My Submitted Files”, but you cannot make any changes to it.
