Applications are now open for the **ARES Scholarship in Belgium for the 2027/2028 academic year.** This is a fully funded scholarship in Europe for international students and professionals. This scholarship allows selected candidates to enroll in specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs or participate in training courses at Belgian universities. Bachelor’s and Master’s programs last one year, while training courses last six months. The program is designed to help students and professionals develop their skills and knowledge in development-related fields. These are specialized programs, not full-time study programs. The ARES scholarship is funded by the Belgian government through the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. To apply, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, depending on the chosen program.Further information regarding eligibility requirements, benefits, programs, and application procedures can be found below.
More About ARES Scholarship in Belgium
- 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: 18th September 2026
Financial Benefits
The Program Covers:
- Round-trip international flights.
- Living allowance.
- Visa application fees (for specialized bachelor’s and master’s degree programs).
- Tuition (for specialized bachelor’s and master’s degree programs).
- Other program-related expenses (for continuing education).
- Comprehensive insurance coverage.
A Short Overview
Do you already have a university degree? Are you looking to gain professional experience and hone your skills in a field that contributes to 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 (two to six months) to expand 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.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible, you must be a citizen, resident, and employee of one of the 32 countries eligible to join the ARES Partner Program.
- You must hold a university degree.
- You must have at least two years of professional experience in one of the ARES Partner Program countries.
Eligible Countries
- 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.
List of Required Documents
List of documents required for an application to be accepted:
- Proof of occupancy for the last 5 years
- Certificate of nationality or copy of passport
- 2 recommendation letters (academic and/or professional)
- Certified copies of original diplomas
- Certified copies of original transcripts for all years
- Pre-project (for certain courses – see course-specific admission conditions).
How to Apply?
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 have one already, create a Giraf account and have it validated by ARES.
- Access the application form: Log in to your Giraf account and go to “Application for international training” > “My tasks” > “Competitive calls” to find the application form.
- Complete the application: Fill out the application form. You can save and return it multiple times before submitting it.
- Submit your application: Once your application is complete, click “Submit my application.” After submission, you can view your application in “My submitted files,” but you cannot make any changes.
