Already hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and looking for a way to sharpen your skills without draining your savings? The ARES Scholarship in Belgium 2027/28 is now open for applications, and it’s one of the most generous fully funded opportunities in Europe this cycle.
Funded by the Government of Belgium through the Federation of Wallonia-Brussels, this program lets international professionals enroll in specialized Bachelor’s, Master’s, or short training courses at top Belgian institutions. Unlike a standard degree scholarship, it’s built specifically to deepen skills in development-related fields rather than fund a full-time academic path from scratch.
However, spots are limited and the application window closes on September 18, 2026. Therefore, if you already hold a diploma and some professional experience, this is worth serious consideration before the deadline arrives.
Quick Facts
- Host Country: Belgium (Wallonia-Brussels Federation)
- Program Type: Specialized Bachelor’s, Specialized Master’s, and Short Training Courses
- Funded By: Agency for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (ARES)
- Eligible Countries: 32 ARES partner countries across Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and Asia
- Eligibility: Must already hold a higher education diploma plus 2+ years of relevant professional experience
- Application Deadline: September 18, 2026
About the ARES International Training Scholarships
ARES (the Agency for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid) runs this scholarship on behalf of the Belgian government, specifically through the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. In addition, unlike a typical degree scholarship, this program is built for people who already have a diploma and want targeted, practical training in development-related fields.
You can choose between:
- A one-year specialized Bachelor’s degree
- A one-year specialized Master’s degree (10 programs available)
- A short training course lasting two to six months (6 courses available)
As a result, this scholarship suits professionals looking to deepen expertise rather than start from scratch academically.
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What’s Covered (Financial Benefits)
This is a genuinely comprehensive package. The scholarship covers:
- Round-trip international travel
- Living allowance for the duration of the program
- Visa application fees (for Bachelor’s and specialized Master’s programs)
- Tuition fees (for Bachelor’s and specialized Master’s programs)
- Miscellaneous program-related costs (for continuing education/training courses)
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
Callout: Unlike many “fully funded” listings that leave gaps, this one explicitly covers visa fees and insurance too — a detail worth flagging since those costs often catch applicants off guard elsewhere.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the ARES Scholarship, you must:
- Be a citizen, resident, and employee of one of the 32 ARES partner-eligible countries
- Hold a higher education diploma already
- Have at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country
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
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Required Documents
Before you start the application, gather these:
- Two recommendation letters (academic and/or professional)
- Certified copies of original diplomas
- Certified copies of original transcripts for all years
- Proof of occupancy for the last 5 years
- Certificate of nationality or passport copy
- A pre-project document (required for certain courses only)
How to Apply for the ARES Scholarship
- Create a GIRAF account and get it validated by ARES.
- Log in and navigate to “Application for international training” → “My tasks” → “Competitive calls.”
- Fill out the application form — you can save your progress and return multiple times.
- Submit your application once complete. After submission, no further edits are allowed.
Therefore, it pays to have every document ready before you start filling out the form, since you won’t be able to revise after hitting submit.
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Why This Scholarship Is Worth the Effort
Unlike scholarships that only cover tuition, ARES fills nearly every financial gap — travel, insurance, visa fees, and a living allowance. In addition, the option to choose a shorter 2–6 month training course (rather than committing to a full year) makes this especially flexible for working professionals who can’t step away for long.
Find more opportunities in our fully funded roundup” -> /scholarships