ARES Scholarship in Belgium 2027/28 | Fully Funded for International Students

The ARES Scholarship in Belgium 2027/28 is now officially open for applications, offering a fully funded opportunity for international students and professionals from 32 eligible partner countries to study at top universities in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Funded by the Agency for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (ARES) and the Government of Belgium, this program provides access to specialized Bachelor’s programs, Master’s programs, and short training courses focused on development-related topics. In particular, professionals seeking fully funded scholarships in Belgium 2027 will find this program especially compelling, as it covers round-trip travel, living allowance, tuition fees, visa costs, insurance, and program-related expenses. Furthermore, there is no application fee and the program is open to working professionals who already hold a higher education degree.

What sets the ARES International Training Scholarship apart from other European scholarships for developing country professionals is its focus on applied professional development rather than standard academic degrees. Specifically, this is not a full-time degree program — it deepens existing skills and knowledge in development-related fields for professionals already working in partner countries. Not only does this make it more accessible to mid-career practitioners, but it also requires a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience alongside an existing degree. Additionally, the program offers one specialized Bachelor’s program, ten specialized Master’s programs, and six continuing training courses — giving applicants a wide range of options. Consequently, it is one of the most professionally targeted fully funded scholarship programs available in Europe today.

The application deadline is September 18, 2026, and applications are submitted through the official GIRAF online platform. Therefore, creating your GIRAF account and gathering your required documents immediately is essential. The comprehensive guide below covers every financial benefit, eligible country, available course, eligibility condition, required document, and step-by-step application route for the ARES Scholarship 2027/28.

Quick Answer

The ARES Scholarship in Belgium 2027/28 is a fully funded government scholarship for professionals from 32 partner countries in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and Palestine. It covers specialized Bachelor’s programs (1 year), Master’s programs (1 year), and short training courses (2–6 months) at Belgian universities. All travel, tuition, living costs, visa fees, and insurance are covered. The deadline is September 18, 2026.

Details About the ARES Scholarship in Belgium 2027/28

• Host Country: Belgium
• Program Name: ARES International Training Scholarships
• Funded By: Agency for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (ARES) / Federation of Wallonia-Brussels
• Degree Levels: Specialized Bachelor’s (1 year), Specialized Master’s (1 year), Short Training Courses (2–6 months)
• Funding Type: Fully Funded
• Number of Programs: 1 specialized Bachelor’s, 10 specialized Master’s, 6 training courses
• Application Fee: None
• Application Platform: GIRAF Online Platform
• Application Deadline: September 18, 2026

Also check: DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2027/28 in Germany — Fully Funded

Financial Benefits

The ARES Scholarship covers every major academic and living cost throughout the full program period. Furthermore, the coverage differs slightly between degree programs and continuing training courses.

For Specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs:

• Round-Trip International Travel: Full coverage of travel costs to and from Belgium
• Living Allowance: A regular monthly allowance to cover personal and daily living expenses in Belgium
• Tuition Fees: Complete tuition fee coverage for the full one-year program
• Visa Application Fees: Full coverage of visa costs for international applicants
• Comprehensive Insurance: Full health and personal insurance coverage throughout the program

For Continuing Training Courses:

• Round-Trip International Travel: Full coverage of travel costs to and from Belgium
• Living Allowance: Monthly support for personal expenses during the training period
• Miscellaneous Program-Related Costs: Additional program expenses covered throughout the course
• Comprehensive Insurance: Full health and personal insurance coverage throughout the training period

Also check: Romania ARICE Scholarship 2026/27 — Fully Funded BS, MS & PhD

Available Programs

The ARES scholarship supports study across three program types at top higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

• 1 Specialized Bachelor’s Program — One-year advanced Bachelor’s study in a development-related field
• 10 Specialized Master’s Programs — One-year advanced Master’s study across ten available disciplines
• 6 Continuing Training Courses — Short training programs lasting between two and six months

Eligible Countries

The ARES Scholarship is open exclusively to citizens, residents, and employees of the following 32 partner countries.

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, Zimbabwe

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

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

Asia:
Palestine

Eligibility Criteria

The ARES Scholarship targets working professionals from partner countries with existing higher education qualifications. Review every condition carefully before beginning your application.

• Nationality and Residency: Applicants must be a citizen, resident, and employee of one of the 32 ARES partner-eligible countries listed above
• Educational Background: Applicants must already hold a higher education diploma — a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is required before applying
• Professional Experience: A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience in an ARES partner country is required
• Field Relevance: Professional background and chosen program must relate to development-focused topics aligned with ARES’s mission

Who Is NOT Eligible

Before investing time in your application, confirm you do not fall into any of the following categories.

• Applicants from countries not listed on the official ARES 32 partner-eligible country list
• Candidates who do not yet hold a completed higher education diploma
• Applicants who cannot demonstrate at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country
• Students applying for a full-time degree program — ARES scholarships cover specialized and short programs only, not full undergraduate or graduate degrees

Also check: University of Milan DSU Scholarship 2026-27 in Italy — Fully Funded

Required Documents

Prepare all materials carefully before creating your GIRAF account and beginning your online application. Every document must be certified and meet ARES’s specific submission standards.

• 2 Recommendation Letters: Academic and/or professional references speaking to your qualifications and suitability for the chosen program
• Certified Copies of Original Diplomas: Officially certified copies of all completed higher education degree certificates
• Certified Copies of Original Transcripts: Certified academic transcripts for all years of study at all previously attended institutions
• Proof of Occupancy for the Last 5 Years: Documentation confirming your residency in an ARES partner country over the past five years
• Certificate of Nationality or Passport Copy: Official proof of citizenship and nationality confirming your eligibility
• Pre-Project: A written project outline required for certain courses — check the specific admission conditions for your chosen program

How to Apply for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium 2027/28

All applications are submitted entirely online through the official GIRAF platform. There is no paper application and no application fee. Therefore, follow these steps carefully before the September 18, 2026 deadline.

1. Create a GIRAF Account: Register at the official GIRAF platform and have your account validated by ARES before proceeding — this step must be completed first
2. Log In to Your Account: Access your validated GIRAF account and navigate to “Application for international training”
3. Find the Application Form: Go to “My Tasks” then “Competitive Calls” to locate the active scholarship application form
4. Complete the Application: Fill in all required fields carefully — you can save your progress and return to the form multiple times before final submission
5. Upload All Documents: Attach certified copies of all required documents in the correct format as specified by ARES
6. Submit Your Application: Once complete, click “Submit my application” — after submission the form is locked and no changes can be made
7. View Your Submitted File: Access your submitted application under “My Submitted Files” to confirm successful submission before the deadline

Also check: Full Ride USA Scholarships 2027 | Fully Funded

Important Dates

Frequently Asked Questions