ARES Scholarship 2027 Belgium | Fully Funded Training for Developing Country Professionals

The ARES Scholarship 2027 officially the ARES International Training Scholarships 2027-2028 — is a fully funded scholarship programme offered by ARES (Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur), the higher education authority of the French-speaking Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium, to outstanding professionals from 32 eligible developing countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. The ARES Scholarship 2027 covers international travel, subsistence allowance, tuition fees, visa costs, and insurance for specialised Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes of up to 12 months in Belgium. Applications for the 2027-2028 cycle opened on August 3, 2026 and close on September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM noon Belgian time (UTC+1). Apply through the official GIRAF portal at form.ares-ac.be.

The ARES International Training Scholarships are designed specifically for working professionals not recent graduates or students — who are permanent residents and employed in one of the 32 ARES partner countries and wish to pursue a specialised graduate programme in Belgium focused on development-related fields. A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience is required. The 2027-2028 call offers 10 programmes across 3 categories: one specialised Bachelor’s degree, eight specialised Master’s degrees, and one continuing education certificate.

The ARES Scholarship is one of the most accessible fully funded scholarships in Europe for professionals from developing countries — it requires no prior contact with a Belgian university, and is open to professionals across diverse fields including public health, economics, microfinance, food safety, human rights, disaster risk management, cybersecurity, and heritage conservation.

Key Highlights

Detail Description

ARES — the Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur — is the coordinating body for higher education in the French-speaking Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium. The ARES International Training Scholarships are part of ARES’s international development cooperation mandate funding specialised training for professionals from developing countries in fields directly relevant to sustainable development, governance, public health, and economic development. The programme operates within a five-year cooperation programme (2022-2027).

Scholars return to their home countries after the programme with enhanced qualifications directly applicable to their professional contexts and development challenges. Studying in Belgium gives scholars access to high-quality francophone higher education in one of Europe’s most internationally diverse academic environments, with Brussels — the de facto capital of the European Union — offering unparalleled exposure to international institutions and policy environments.

Available Programmes

Important language note: 8 of the 10 programmes are taught in French. Only two programmes are taught in English: International and Development Economics, and Advanced Master in Microfinance. Candidates must demonstrate good command of the teaching language of their chosen programme. Basic French is also recommended for all scholars for daily life in Belgium.

Benefits

• Return International Flights: Economy class return flights between the scholar’s home country and Belgium at the start and end of the programme.
• Monthly Subsistence Allowance: A monthly living allowance covering accommodation, food, local transport, and daily costs in Belgium for the full programme duration.
• Full Tuition Fees: All tuition and programme fees covered for Bachelor’s and specialised Master’s participants. Not included for continuing education participants.
• Visa Application Costs: Exceptional visa-related costs covered for Bachelor’s and specialised Master’s participants only.
• Insurance: Comprehensive health, accident, and travel insurance for all scholars throughout their stay in Belgium.
• Indirect Mission Expenses: For continuing education (certificate) participants only — indirect mission expenses covered instead of tuition fees.

32 Eligible Countries

Eligibility Criteria

• Permanent Resident and Employed in Eligible Country: Must be a permanent resident AND currently working in one of the 32 ARES partner countries. Exception: Palestinian nationals are eligible even without residing in the 32 countries. Holding a passport from an eligible country while living elsewhere does not qualify.
• Graduate Degree: Must hold a graduate degree (equivalent to 180 ECTS credits / bachelor’s level of Belgian higher education). Degree must have been earned no more than 20 years before programme start — extended by 1 year per childbirth/adoption.
• Admission Requirements: Must meet each programme’s specific admission requirements — check individual programme descriptions on the ARES website before applying.
• Minimum 2 Years Professional Experience: At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in one of the 32 eligible countries, acquired between completion of most recent graduate degree and September 18, 2026.
• Language Proficiency: Good written and spoken command of the programme’s teaching language. Most programmes require French — two require English. Basic French recommended for all scholars.
• One Programme Only: Must apply to only ONE programme. Multiple applications result in automatic disqualification.

Who is NOT Eligible:

• Candidates not permanently residing and working in one of the 32 eligible countries
• Candidates from countries not on the eligible list
• Recent graduates with less than 2 years of relevant professional experience
• Candidates whose graduate degree was earned more than 20 years ago (unless extended by childbirth/adoption)
• Candidates applying to more than one programme — automatic disqualification
• Previous ARES scholarship recipients — preference given to first-time applicants
• Candidates already holding an equivalent qualification to their chosen programme

Required Documents

1. Completed GIRAF online application — fully submitted before the deadline (saved drafts are not accepted)
2. Official academic diplomas and transcripts with certified translations into French or English if originals are in another language
3. Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) showing academic qualifications and professional experience
4. Motivation letter explaining why you are applying, how the training relates to your professional work, and how you plan to use it for development impact upon return
5. Proof of at least 2 years of relevant professional experience (employer letters, contracts, or official documentation)
6. Language proficiency evidence in the programme’s teaching language
7. Letter of support from current employer (recommended — confirms position and support for the application)

Application Process

Step 1: Check Eligibility and Choose ONE Programme

Confirm all eligibility requirements: permanent resident working in an eligible country, graduate degree within 20 years, 2 years professional experience, and language proficiency for your chosen programme. Review all 10 programmes at ares-ac.be/en/international-training-scholarships-2027-2028 and choose ONE only. Read each programme’s specific admission requirements carefully. Applying to more than one programme results in automatic disqualification.

Step 2: Create Your GIRAF Account Immediately

Go to form.ares-ac.be/international_trainings_2027_2028 and complete the account creation request form. If you already have a validated GIRAF account from a previous ARES application, use your existing login. Account validation takes time — create your account well before the September 18 deadline. Read the official applicant’s guide available on the ARES website before starting.

Step 3: Prepare All Required Documents

Gather all required documents: academic diplomas and transcripts with certified translations, detailed CV, motivation letter, proof of professional experience, language proficiency evidence, and an employer support letter. Your motivation letter is critically important — write specifically about how this programme will improve your professional practice and contribute to development in your home country. Vague motivation letters are one of the most common reasons for rejection.

Step 4: Complete and Submit Your Application Before September 18, 2026

Log into GIRAF, go to Competitive Calls, and click the “Application – International Training 2027-2028” button once only. Complete all required fields marked with an asterisk. You can save drafts and return to complete the application across multiple sessions. Once complete, click “Submit my application.” After submission your application cannot be modified. Submitted applications appear under Competitive Calls > My Submitted Applications. The deadline is September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM noon Belgian time (UTC+1) — this is a hard deadline with no exceptions.

Step 5: Await Selection Results

After the deadline, each programme’s jury reviews all complete applications using the 8 selection criteria. ARES will send email notifications to successful candidates, reserve candidates, and unsuccessful candidates by June of the following year at the latest. ARES does not provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants beyond the notification email. If selected, you will receive detailed instructions for visa application, travel arrangements, and programme registration.

How to Apply

To apply for the ARES Scholarship 2027-2028, visit the official application portals below:

Also Check

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• 📌 Fulbright Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded US Government Scholarship for International Students

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the ARES Scholarship 2027?

The ARES Scholarship 2027-2028 is a fully funded scholarship programme offered by ARES (Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur), the Belgian Wallonia-Brussels Federation’s higher education authority, to working professionals from 32 developing countries for specialised Bachelor’s, Master’s, or continuing education programmes in Belgium. It covers return flights, monthly subsistence allowance, tuition fees, visa costs, and insurance for programmes of up to 12 months. Applications close September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM Belgian time. Apply at form.ares-ac.be.

2. What is the ARES Scholarship 2027 deadline?

The deadline is September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM noon Belgian time (UTC+1). The application opened August 3, 2026. This deadline is strict — late applications are not accepted under any circumstances. Saved drafts are not considered submitted. You must click “Submit my application” in the GIRAF system before the deadline.

3. Which countries are eligible for the ARES Scholarship 2027?

32 countries: In 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. In South America and Caribbean — Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru. In Southeast Asia — Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam. Palestine is also eligible (special exception — Palestinian nationals are eligible even without residing in one of the 32 countries).

4. Is the ARES Scholarship for students or working professionals?

Working professionals only. The ARES Scholarship specifically targets people who are permanently resident and currently employed in one of the 32 eligible countries and who have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience after their most recent graduate degree. Recent graduates and full-time students without professional experience are not eligible. The scholarship is designed to fund professional capacity development — not initial degree studies.

5. Can I apply to more than one ARES programme?

No. You must apply to ONE programme only. Submitting applications to more than one programme results in automatic disqualification from the entire 2027-2028 competition. Review all 10 available programmes carefully at ares-ac.be before choosing — you cannot change your programme after submission.

6. What languages are the ARES programmes taught in?

8 of the 10 programmes are taught in French. Only two programmes are taught in English: the Specialized Master in International and Development Economics and the Advanced Master in Microfinance. Candidates must demonstrate good written and spoken command of the teaching language of their chosen programme. Even for English-taught programmes, a basic knowledge of French is recommended for daily life in Belgium.

7. How do I apply for the ARES Scholarship 2027?

Apply through the GIRAF online system at form.ares-ac.be/international_trainings_2027_2028. First create a GIRAF account (or use an existing validated account). Log in, go to Competitive Calls, and click the Application button once only. Complete all required fields, upload all documents, and click Submit before September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM Belgian time. Read the official applicant’s guide on the ARES website before starting. For questions, contact scholarships-cooperation@ares-ac.be.

Final Thoughts

The ARES Scholarship 2027-2028 is one of Europe’s most accessible and comprehensive fully funded scholarship programmes for working professionals from developing countries offering complete financial support (travel, living costs, tuition, visa, and insurance) for up to 12 months of specialised graduate training in Belgium across 10 high-value programmes in development-related fields. With a deadline of September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM Belgian time and applications already open, there is no time to waste. Create your GIRAF account at form.ares-ac.be today, choose your ONE programme carefully, prepare your motivation letter and documents, and submit your complete application before the hard deadline. For questions, contact Maryvonne Aubry at scholarships-cooperation@ares-ac.be.