ARES Scholarships in Belgium 2027–2028 | Fully Funded Study Opportunities

 

The ARES Scholarships in Belgium provide an excellent opportunity for qualified international students and young professionals from eligible partner countries to pursue specialized higher education or professional training in Belgium.

The scholarships are offered through the Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES), which coordinates higher education institutions within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium. Through its international cooperation programmes, ARES supports capacity building and academic development in partner countries.

The ARES International Training programme is designed particularly for professionals who already have higher education qualifications and relevant professional experience. Depending on the programme, successful applicants can undertake specialized Bachelor's studies, specialized Master's studies, or continuing education in Belgium.

For applicants from eligible African and other partner countries, the programme can provide an opportunity to gain specialized knowledge and professional experience in a Belgian higher education environment without bearing the normal cost of international study.

What Are ARES Scholarships?

ARES scholarships are part of Belgium's international academic cooperation efforts.

The programme aims to strengthen the skills and knowledge of professionals from partner countries by giving them access to specialized training and higher education programmes offered by institutions in the French-speaking higher education system of Belgium.

The programme is therefore different from a conventional undergraduate scholarship.

Applicants are generally expected to already hold a higher education qualification and, depending on the type of programme, have relevant professional experience.

According to the latest detailed ARES international-training call, the programme supports specialized Bachelor's degrees, specialized Master's degrees, and continuing education programmes.

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ARES Scholarships Overview

• Scholarship: ARES International Training Scholarships
• Host Country: Belgium
• Host Region: Wallonia-Brussels Federation
• Organization: Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES)
• Study Level: Specialized Bachelor's, Specialized Master's and Continuing Education
• Duration: Generally 1 academic year for specialized Bachelor's and Master's programmes
• Continuing Training: Approximately 2–6 months, depending on the programme
• Target Group: Professionals from eligible ARES partner countries
• Funding: Scholarship support
• Application: Online
• Application Fee: None
• Nationality: Nationals of eligible ARES partner countries

The exact programme list, participating countries, benefits and deadline can change from one academic year to another, so applicants should always check the latest official ARES call before applying.

Who Can Apply?

ARES scholarships are intended for nationals of ARES partner countries.

Applicants must generally be nationals of one of the countries included in the applicable ARES partner-country list.

This means that simply being an international student does not automatically make someone eligible.

The programme is particularly focused on applicants from countries where academic and professional capacity development can contribute to broader development objectives.

Applicants should therefore confirm that their nationality is included in the official call for the relevant academic year.

Academic Requirements

Applicants are generally expected to hold a higher education qualification relevant to the programme for which they are applying.

The latest detailed ARES international-training call specifies that candidates must hold a higher education diploma.

The exact academic qualification required can depend on the specific training programme.

Applicants should therefore examine the admission requirements of their selected course carefully before submitting an application.

A strong academic background can also strengthen an applicant's overall profile, particularly when combined with relevant professional experience.

Professional Experience Requirement

One of the distinguishing features of the ARES International Training programme is its emphasis on professional experience.

Under the latest detailed call, applicants for specialized Bachelor's programmes were expected to have at least two years of professional experience after completing a Bachelor's degree, while applicants for specialized Master's and continuing education programmes were expected to have at least two years of professional experience after completing a Master's degree.

This requirement makes ARES particularly relevant to working professionals who want to acquire additional specialized knowledge rather than students looking for their first university degree.

Applicants should carefully check the professional-experience requirement attached to the specific programme they intend to pursue.

What Does the ARES Scholarship Cover?

The scholarship provides financial support to successful candidates for their approved study or training period in Belgium.

The exact financial package should be confirmed from the official call for the relevant academic year because scholarship conditions can be updated.

Applicants should not rely solely on descriptions from third-party scholarship websites when planning their finances.

The official ARES call specifies the applicable scholarship benefits, conditions and arrangements for each cycle.

The purpose of the scholarship is to make it possible for selected professionals from partner countries to participate in specialized training without having to independently finance the full cost of studying abroad.

Duration of the Programme

The duration depends on the type of training selected.

According to the latest detailed ARES call:

• Specialized Bachelor's programmes: One academic year
• Specialized Master's programmes: One academic year
• Continuing education: Approximately 2 to 6 months, depending on the selected course

The specialized Bachelor's and Master's programmes generally begin in September and conclude in June of the following year.

Applicants should therefore be prepared to remain in Belgium for the full duration of their selected programme.

What Can You Study?

ARES offers opportunities across different areas of professional and academic development.

The exact programmes available change from one application cycle to another.

Potential fields can include areas related to:

• Public health
• Development studies
• Agriculture
• Food security
• Environmental sciences
• Education
• Human rights
• Public administration
• Social development
• Economics
• Sustainable development
• Water and sanitation
• Natural resources
• Technology
• Engineering
• Other specialized professional fields

Applicants should not assume that every field is available in every application cycle.

The official ARES programme catalogue should be consulted to identify the training programmes available during the specific application period.

Why Study in Belgium?

Belgium is home to a strong higher education system and several internationally recognized universities and institutions.

Studying in Belgium can give international professionals exposure to European academic practices, research networks and professional environments.

For professionals from developing countries, the knowledge gained through specialized training can also be applied after returning home.

This development-focused approach is central to the philosophy behind ARES international cooperation programmes.

The goal is not simply to provide individuals with an opportunity to study abroad but also to strengthen professional and institutional capacity in partner countries.

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How the ARES Application Process Works

Applicants should follow the official application instructions carefully.

Step 1: Check Your Country

First, confirm that you are a citizen of an eligible ARES partner country.

Step 2: Review Available Programmes

Look through the official list of international training programmes and identify courses that match your academic qualifications and professional experience.

Step 3: Check Programme Requirements

Every programme may have specific admission requirements.

Check the required academic qualification, professional experience, language ability and other conditions.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents required by the relevant call.

These may include:

• Academic certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of professional experience
• Motivation statement
• Identification documents
• References or other supporting documents

The exact document requirements should be confirmed from the official application platform.

Step 5: Submit the Application Online

Applications are submitted through the official ARES application system during the designated application period.

Applicants should complete the application carefully and provide truthful information.

Step 6: Wait for the Selection Process

After the application deadline, ARES evaluates applications and conducts the selection process.

The latest detailed call indicated that selection could take several months.

Successful applicants are informed of the outcome according to the official timetable.

Application Deadline

Important: The application deadline varies by academic year.

The latest detailed international-training call I could verify officially was for the 2025–2026 academic year, and its deadline was 18 October 2024 at 12:00 Belgian time (UTC+1).

ARES has also published a 2027–2028 international-training application form, but the current official form is marked closed to new submissions.

Therefore, applicants should not use the old 2025–2026 deadline as the 2027–2028 deadline.

When the next official call opens, applicants should check the ARES website for the exact opening date and closing date.

Important Advice for Applicants

ARES scholarships are competitive, so applicants should begin preparing before the application window opens.

Build Relevant Professional Experience

Because professional experience is an important component of the programme, applicants should clearly demonstrate how their work relates to the selected course.

Choose a Relevant Programme

Your selected training should have a clear connection with your education, professional background and future career plans.

Write a Strong Motivation Statement

Explain why you need the training, what you expect to learn, and how the knowledge will benefit your career and contribute to development in your home country.

Demonstrate Your Impact

Applicants who can demonstrate how their work has contributed to their organization, community or sector may be able to present a stronger overall profile.

Prepare Early

Do not wait until the final days before the deadline.

Academic documents, employment evidence, references and other supporting materials can take time to obtain.

Is ARES Fully Funded?

ARES scholarships provide significant financial support to selected participants, but applicants should always consult the official call for the exact benefits applicable to their programme and academic year.

The phrase "fully funded" is commonly used by scholarship websites to describe ARES opportunities, but the precise financial coverage should be understood from the official scholarship regulations.

Students should not make travel or financial commitments based solely on information from third-party websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARES Scholarship?

ARES scholarships support eligible professionals from partner countries who want to undertake specialized higher education or continuing training in Belgium.

Which country offers the ARES Scholarship?

The scholarship supports study and training in Belgium, particularly within the higher education system of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

Can Africans apply?

Yes, nationals of eligible ARES partner countries in Africa can apply, provided they meet the academic, professional and programme-specific requirements.

However, eligibility depends on the official partner-country list for the relevant application cycle.

Can I apply for a Bachelor's degree?

ARES international training can include specialized Bachelor's programmes. However, these are not necessarily equivalent to applying for a conventional first Bachelor's degree after secondary school.

The programme is designed primarily for professionals who already possess higher education qualifications and relevant experience.

Can I apply for a Master's degree?

Yes. Specialized Master's programmes are included in the ARES International Training programme, subject to the requirements of the specific course.

Do I need work experience?

For the latest detailed call, applicants were generally required to have at least two years of relevant professional experience after the required higher education qualification. However, applicants should check the current call because requirements can change.

What is the application fee?

ARES does not charge applicants a scholarship application fee. Applicants should be cautious if anyone asks them to pay money to "secure" an ARES scholarship.

When does the next application open?

The exact opening and closing dates for a future cycle should be confirmed through the official ARES website. The previous detailed call opened on 13 August 2024 and closed on 18 October 2024.

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Official Application Link

Applicants should use the official ARES website and application platform:

ARES Official Website:
https://www.ares-ac.be/

ARES International Training Scholarships:

Applicants should always verify the latest call before submitting an application because programme availability, eligible countries, deadlines and requirements may change.

Conclusion

The ARES Scholarships in Belgium offer an important opportunity for qualified professionals from eligible developing countries to gain specialized academic and professional training in Belgium.

The programme is particularly attractive to applicants who already have a higher education qualification and professional experience and want to acquire advanced knowledge that can be applied to their careers and development work in their home countries.

Unlike many conventional scholarships, ARES focuses strongly on specialized training and capacity development. Applicants therefore need to demonstrate not only academic qualifications but also relevant professional experience and a clear reason why the selected training will contribute to their future career and broader development objectives.

If you are interested in applying, begin preparing your academic documents, CV, professional experience evidence and motivation statement well in advance.

Most importantly, do not rely on an old application deadline. The latest detailed official call I could verify was for 2025–2026, while the official 2027–2028 application form currently indicates that submissions are closed. Always check the official ARES website for the next active application window before applying.