Belgium Government ARES International Training Scholarships 2026 (Fully Funded)

The ARES International Training Scholarships are now open for international students and young professionals who wish to pursue higher education in Belgium. These scholarships are fully funded by the Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES) and are designed to strengthen capacity building in developing countries by providing access to advanced bachelor’s programs, specialised master’s degrees, and continuing training courses.

If you are a student or a young professional from one of the 31 eligible partner countries, this is your opportunity to study in Belgium’s prestigious higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

The ARES International Training Scholarship is fully funded and covers:

• International travel expenses

• Living allowance for the entire study period

• Visa application costs (only for bachelor’s and master’s degrees)

• Tuition fees (only for bachelor’s and master’s degrees)

• Insurance coverage

• Indirect mission expenses (for continuing training only)

• Specialised Bachelor’s degree (1 year)
• Specialised Master’s degree (1 year)
• Continuing Training Programs (2–6 months)

The scholarships cover multiple fields with a strong focus on development-related topics, including but not limited to:

• Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

• Public Health and Medicine

• Social Sciences

• Economics and Development Studies

• Education and Pedagogy

• Engineering and Technology

• Political and Human Rights Studies

Applicants must be permanent residents of one of the 31 ARES partner countries, or Palestinian nationals.

Eligible Countries Include:

• Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, 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: Palestinian Territories.

To qualify, applicants must:

1. Be a permanent resident and working in one of the eligible countries.

2. Hold the required academic qualifications:

   • Specialised Master’s / Continuing Training: A degree comparable to a second-cycle diploma (300 ECTS) from a Belgian university.

   • Specialised Bachelor’s: A diploma comparable to a first-cycle diploma (180 ECTS).

3. Have at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country.

4. Commit to returning and contributing to the development of their home country after the program.

All applications must be submitted online via the GIRAF platform. Paper or email submissions are not accepted.

Steps to Apply:

1. Create or log into your GIRAF account.

2. Access the application form: International Training (year) > My tasks > Competitive calls.

3. Complete the application form (you can save and edit before final submission).

4. Submit your application. Once submitted, modifications are no longer possible.

5. Check the Applicant’s Guide for detailed instructions.

Important Note: Do not send personal data by email. Any such requests may be a phishing attempt.

Final Thoughts

The ARES International Training Scholarships provide a unique opportunity for students and young professionals from developing countries to study in Belgium. With full financial support, high-quality education, and a strong focus on development, this program helps scholars become agents of change in their home countries.

Mark your calendar: Applications open on 4 August and close on 19 September.