The Belgium Government ARES Scholarship for International Students 2027-28 is a prestigious, fully funded opportunity designed for international students from developing countries who aspire to pursue advanced studies or specialized training in Belgium. This scholarship program, funded by the Belgian government through the Agency for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (ARES), focuses on equipping professionals with enhanced skills and knowledge in development-related fields.
Are you an international professional looking to elevate your skills, secure full funding for higher education, and drive structural growth in your home country? The Belgium Government ARES Scholarship 2027–2028 stands out as one of Europe’s most competitive, elite opportunities tailored specifically for individuals from developing countries. Administered by the Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES), this fully funded government scholarship enables outstanding students and mid-career professionals to pursue Advanced Bachelor’s degrees, Specialized Master’s degrees, or fast-track Continuing Education programs in Belgium.
Basic Information & Crucial Deadlines
The ARES International Training Scholarships are funded entirely by the Government of Belgium via the Federation of Wallonia-Brussels. Rather than supporting multi-year baseline degrees, the framework targets highly focused, development-oriented specialization tracks.
- Host Country: Belgium
- Funding Agency: Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES)
- Degree Levels: Specialized Bachelor’s Degrees, Specialized Master’s Degrees, and Continuing Education Certificates
- Target Audience: Mid-career professionals and graduates from 31 to 32 designated partner countries.
- Application Opening Date: August 3, 2026
- GIRAF Portal Account Creation Cutoff: September 4, 2026, at 4:00 PM Belgian Time (UTC+1). (New accounts must be validated prior to this window to initiate a draft).
- Final Application Deadline: September 18, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Noon) Belgian Time (UTC+1).
Duration
Specialised Bachelor/Master’s
- Approximately 1 academic year
- Starts around September
- Ends around June or September of the following year
Continuing Training
- Maximum 6 months
University/Institution Details: The Wallonia-Brussels Federation
Unlike standard scholarship programs tied to a single school, the ARES network covers the Wallonia-Brussels Federation—the French-speaking region of Belgium.
Once selected, the ARES committee assigns you to the prestigious institution best suited for your exact academic discipline. The partner university network includes world-renowned institutions such as:
- Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
- Université de Liège (ULiège)
- Université de Mons (UMons)
- Université de Namur (UNamur)
These universities offer top-tier facilities, intense research clusters, and access to a massive European professional network situated right next to the European Union headquarters in Brussels.
Study Areas & Available Programs (2027–2028 Intake)
The ARES program specifically chooses courses designed to target practical global challenges, ranging from environmental management to human rights preservation.
1 Specialized Bachelor’s Degree
- Digital Integrated Supply Chain
8 Specialized Master’s Degrees
- 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
1 Continuing Education Certificate
- Cybersecurity Operations and Risk Governance
Belgium Government ARES Scholarship for International Students: Benefits
The ARES scholarship provides complete financial support, allowing international students to adjust easily to European student life.
For Specialised Bachelor’s & Master’s:
- ✈️ International round-trip airfare
- 💰 Monthly living allowance
- 🎓 Tuition fees
- 🛂 Visa-related expenses
- 🏥 Health/insurance coverage
- Certain travel-related expenses
Duration: approximately 1 academic year.
For Continuing Training:
- ✈️ International travel
- 💰 Monthly allowance
- €200 additional international travel allowance
- 🏥 Insurance
- Duration: up to 6 months
Benefits Not Included
Applicants must factor the following out-of-pocket dynamics into their personal planning:
- Dependent Maintenance: The scholarship is strictly tailored for solo scholars. Visas, housing adjustments, and living costs for accompanying spouses or children are entirely self-funded.
- Excess Baggage Costs: Any airline fees incurred due to exceeding standard weight thresholds during your international flights.
- Pre-arrival Logistics: Daily domestic travel, passport renewals, or localized document translation expenses in your home country before departure.
Eligibility Criteria for Belgium Government ARES Scholarship for International Students
ARES enforces specific thresholds to ensure chosen scholars are equipped to apply their knowledge effectively back home.
You must:
- Be a permanent resident and currently working in one of the 32 eligible countries.
- Have a higher education/graduate degree relevant to the program.
- Your relevant degree must normally have been obtained within the last 20 years.
- Have at least 2 years of relevant professional work experience after your most recent degree.
- Have this work experience in one of the eligible countries.
- Meet the specific admission requirements of the program.
- Be able to study in the language in which the program is taught.
- Have good written and spoken language skills.
- Basic French is helpful for daily life in Belgium.
- You cannot have previously received an ARES grant in Belgium.
Eligible Countries
There are 32 eligible 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 & Caribbean:
Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru
Southeast Asia:
Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam
Asia:
Palestine
How Are Applicants Selected?
Meeting the eligibility requirements does NOT guarantee selection.
The academic jury considers mainly:
- Academic performance
- Degrees, grades, courses, research, publications, etc.
- Professional experience
- Especially work related to development issues
- Social/development impact
- Whether your work benefits society
- Potential to become an agent of change
- Ability to use and transfer the knowledge gained in Belgium after returning
- Commitment to your country/society
- Gender balance
- Geographical/nationality diversity
- Whether you work for an ARES partner institution
- Previous ARES scholarship status
Very Important Selection Advantage
ARES particularly values applicants who can demonstrate:
Education + relevant professional experience + social/development impact + a clear plan to use the knowledge after returning home.
Required Documents for the Application
All documents must be uploaded directly via the electronic GIRAF platform in clear PDF formats:
You generally need:
- Two recommendation letters
- Academic and/or professional
- Certified copies of diplomas
- Certified transcripts/mark sheets for all years
- Proof of occupancy for the last 5 years
- Proof of nationality
- Passport/National ID, etc.
- Proof of residence
- Employer’s commitment to re-employ you after the training
- Pre-project/proposal, if required by the specific program
Belgium Government ARES Scholarship for International Students Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide
The ARES application does not require you to secure university admission beforehand; the scholarship and placement steps are combined into one process.
1.Create and Validate Your GIRAF Account:Must be done before Sept 4, 2026.
Go to the official ARES portal and request a brand new GIRAF profile. Wait for the systemic validation email, set your security password, and access your profile.
2.Locate the Competitive Call Form:Within your user profile.
Log in to the portal, navigate directly to the “Competitive Calls” tab, and click the link titled “Application – International Training 2027–2028”.
3.Complete the Online Profile Information:Multi-session feature available.
Fill in your personal details, academic history, and career milestones. You can save your progress as a draft and return to it later under the “My Tasks” view.
4.Upload Required Documents:Check sizes and formats.
Attach certified versions of your passports, residence papers, employment proof, employer commitments, and letters of recommendation.
5.Submit the Application File:Deadline: Sept 18, 2026 @ 12:00 PM Belgian Time.
Review all entries carefully. Click the “Submit my application” button. Once finalized, you can view your submission file under “My submitted files,” but no further updates can be made.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Connect to Development Realities: Your personal motivation essays must connect your day-to-day work directly to your country’s local developmental needs. Review the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and align your goals with them.
- Get the Right Re-employment Letter: The letter committing to your re-employment is highly valued by the selection panel. Ensure your company explicitly states how they plan to utilize your newly acquired Belgian skills once you return.
- Watch Out for Account Creation Dates: Many candidates fail because they try to create a GIRAF portal account right before the final deadline. New account generation closes two weeks early on September 4, 2026. Set your profile up early.
- Write in the Language of Instruction: If your chosen course is taught in French, write your motivation responses in French. If it is taught in English, use clear English.
Estimated Monthly Living Expenses in Belgium for International Students
While your €1,150 monthly stipend fully covers your main expenses, understanding the local cost structure will help you budget effectively. Here is a realistic breakdown of monthly expenses in Belgium converted into USD ($):
| Expense Category | Estimated Monthly Cost (USD) | Practical Context |
| Student Housing (Kot) | $450 – $650 | Single student room with shared utilities and kitchen spaces |
| Groceries & Food | $250 – $380 | Standard weekly shopping at local supermarkets (e.g., Colruyt, Aldi) |
| Local Transportation | $30 – $55 | Heavily discounted monthly student transit passes (TEC or STIB) |
| Academic Materials | $40 – $70 | Printing fees, specialized software licenses, and reading packets |
| Leisure & Personal Expenses | $150 – $250 | Mobile data plans, campus dining halls, and local travel |
| Total Estimated Budget | $920 – $1,405 / month | Fully managed by your ARES Stipend! |
Why Choose the ARES Scholarship? (5 Core Reasons)
- Strategic Multidisciplinary Access: You gain immediate entry into top French-speaking Belgian institutions via a centralized, clear placement framework.
- Generous Financial Support: With 100% of your tuition waived, free health insurance, covered round-trip flights, and a solid monthly allowance, you can focus fully on your professional growth.
- No Prior Admission Hurdles: You do not need to apply to universities separately or spend money on individual departmental pre-admission steps. ARES handles university placements directly for successful candidates.
- Tailored for Career Growth: The focus on short-term certificates and specialized 1-year degrees allows you to level up your career without stepping out of the professional workforce for too long.
- Commitment to Equity: The ARES academic committees actively focus on maintaining geographic parity and gender balance, ensuring equal access for all qualified applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the application process completely free?
Yes. Applying for the ARES scholarship is entirely free. ARES does not use external agents or charge fees at any point in the selection cycle.
Can I apply if I currently reside or study inside Europe?
No. Applicants must be living and working in their home country when submitting their application file. Candidates already residing in Europe are not eligible.
When will the final selection results be announced?
All candidates will receive their official selection, reserve list, or non-selection notifications via email by June 2027.
Can I apply for more than one training course under this call?
No. Applicants are strictly limited to applying for only one training program or course per application cycle. Submitting multiple requests can lead to immediate disqualification.
Application Dates
- Applications open: 3 August 2026
- Deadline to create/validate GIRAF account: 4 September 2026, 4:00 PM Belgian time
- Final application deadline: 18 September 2026, 12:00 PM Belgian time
- Apply through the GIRAF platform.
- You can save the application as a draft and complete it later.
- After submitting, you cannot edit the application.
- You can apply for only ONE program.
