ARES Scholarships. The ARES Scholarships 2027-28 in Belgium offer an excellent opportunity for international students and professionals who want to pursue advanced education and specialised training in Europe. The scholarship program is provided by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES), which brings together higher education institutions within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium.
This fully funded scholarship opportunity is designed for applicants from selected developing countries who want to improve their academic knowledge, professional skills, and contribution to social and economic development. Depending on the selected program, successful candidates can study a specialised bachelor’s degree, specialised master’s program, or continuing training course in Belgium.
ARES Scholarships 2027-28 in Belgium
Host Country: Belgium
Host Organization: Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES)
Program Type: International Training Scholarships
Study Level: Specialised Bachelor’s, Specialised Master’s, Continuing Training
Duration: Up to 12 months for specialised degrees and up to 6 months for continuing training
Funding: Fully Funded
Application Deadline: September 18, 2026, at 12:00 PM Belgian time (UTC+1)
The ARES scholarship focuses on academic programs connected with development, public health, economics, human rights, food security, cybersecurity, supply chains, disaster management, and other important areas.
Programs Offered Under ARES Scholarships
Applicants can select from several specialised study and training opportunities. The available programs include a specialised bachelor’s degree in Digital Integrated Supply Chain.
The specialised master’s programs include:
- Master in Human Rights
- Master in Integrated Health Risk Management
- Specialized Master in International and Development Economics
- Advanced Master in Microfinance
- Specialized Master in Public Health – Analysis and Evaluation of International Health Policies, Programs and Systems
- Specialized Master in Food Chain Safety Management
- Specialized Master in Preventive Conservation and Collection Management
- Specialized Master in Risk and Disaster Management in the Anthropocene Era
ARES also offers a continuing training course in Cybersecurity Operations and Risk Governance.
Applicants should carefully review the admission requirements of their preferred program before submitting an application.
Eligible Countries for ARES Scholarships 2027-28
The scholarship is available to candidates from selected countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Asia.
Eligible African countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Eligible countries in South America and the Caribbean include Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, and Peru.
Eligible Southeast Asian countries include Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, and Vietnam. Palestine is also included in the eligible-country list.
Applicants should verify their eligibility against the official ARES call before applying because country and program conditions can change.
Benefits of ARES Scholarships in Belgium
One of the biggest advantages of the ARES program is its financial support for selected international candidates. Successful applicants can receive funding that helps cover the major costs associated with studying and travelling to Belgium.
The scholarship benefits may include:
- International travel expenses.
- A subsistence allowance.
- Financial support throughout the specialised bachelor’s or master’s program.
- Financial support for the continuing training course.
- Insurance coverage.
- Tuition fees for specialised bachelor’s and master’s programs.
- Exceptional costs related to visa applications for eligible specialised degree students.
- Indirect mission expenses for continuing training participants.
These benefits can significantly reduce the financial burden on international students and allow them to concentrate on their education and professional development.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy both the general ARES requirements and the admission conditions of their selected program. Candidates are generally required to be permanent residents and workers in one of the eligible countries. Palestinian nationals are an exception to the residence requirement.
Applicants must have an appropriate graduate-level qualification and meet the academic requirements of their chosen program. The relevant academic degree must generally have been obtained no more than 20 years before the beginning of the program. This period may be extended by one year for each childbirth and/or adoption.
Candidates are also required to have at least two years of relevant professional experience in an eligible country after obtaining their most recent graduate degree and before the application deadline.
Applicants must demonstrate a good written and spoken command of the language used for teaching in their selected program. Although French may not be required for every program, basic French knowledge can be useful for everyday life and integration in Belgium.
Only one training program can be selected per application.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare their supporting documents before starting the application. Depending on the program, the required documents may include:
- Two academic and/or professional recommendation letters.
- Certified copies of original diplomas.
- Certified copies of academic transcripts for all years of study.
- Proof of occupation for the previous five years.
- Certificate of nationality or passport copy.
- A pre-project where required by the selected program.
Applicants should check the specific admission requirements of their chosen course because additional documents may be requested.
How to Apply for ARES Scholarships 2027-28
The application process is conducted through the GIRAF platform. Applicants who do not already have an account must first request account creation.
After obtaining access, candidates can log in to GIRAF and navigate to the “Competitive Calls” section. From there, applicants should select “Application – International Training 2027–2028” to begin their scholarship application.
The application can be completed over multiple sessions. Candidates can use the “Save as Draft” option and return later through the “My Tasks” section under “Competitive Calls.”
Applicants should carefully review every section before submitting the form. Once the application has been submitted, it can no longer be modified. The submitted application can subsequently be found under “My Submitted Applications.”
Selection Criteria
ARES evaluates applications according to several factors. These may include the quality of the applicant’s previous education, relevant professional experience, potential contribution to development, and the overall strength of the application.
Candidates who have previously received an ARES scholarship may not be eligible. Membership or connection with a partner institution may also be considered where applicable.
A particularly important aspect is the applicant’s potential to contribute to positive change in their community, country, or professional field after completing the training.
ARES Scholarship Deadline 2027-28
The application deadline for the ARES Scholarships 2027-28 in Belgium is September 18, 2026, at 12:00 PM Belgian time (UTC+1). Applicants should not wait until the final day because account creation, document preparation, and application submission can require additional time.
Before applying, candidates should read the official ARES scholarship call carefully and confirm the latest eligibility conditions, available programs, required documents, and application instructions.
Conclusion
The ARES Scholarships 2027-28 provide a valuable pathway for talented professionals and graduates from eligible countries to gain internationally recognised education and practical expertise in Belgium. With financial support covering major study-related expenses, the program can help successful candidates develop skills that can later be used to support development and positive change in their communities.
