About the Opportunity
The Belgium Government ARES International Training Scholarships offer a fully funded route for international students and young professionals to pursue academic study or professional training in Belgium. Funded by the Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES), the program is built to reinforce capacity development in partner countries by supporting participation in specialised bachelor’s degrees, specialised master’s degrees, and continuing training courses hosted by higher education institutions in the Wallonia–Brussels Federation.
Study Level and Duration
- Specialised Bachelor’s degree: 1 year
- Specialised Master’s degree: 1 year
- Continuing Training Programs: 2–6 months
Study Areas Covered
ARES supports several development-oriented fields, including:
- 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
Funding Coverage
This is a fully funded scholarship and includes:
- International travel expenses
- Living allowance throughout the full study period
- Visa application costs (bachelor’s and master’s only)
- Tuition fees (bachelor’s and master’s only)
- Insurance coverage
- Indirect mission expenses (continuing training only)
Who Can Apply (Eligible Countries)
Applicants must be permanent residents of one of the 31 ARES partner countries, or be Palestinian nationals. The eligible countries listed in the source are:
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.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must meet all of the following:
- Be a permanent resident and currently working in an eligible country
- Hold the required academic credentials:
- For Specialised Master’s / Continuing Training: qualification comparable to a second-cycle diploma (300 ECTS) from a Belgian university
- For a Specialised Bachelor’s: qualification comparable to a first-cycle diploma (180 ECTS)
- Have at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country
- Agree to return and contribute to their home country’s development after completing the program
Application Process (GIRAF Platform)
All applications must be submitted online through GIRAF. Paper or email applications are not accepted.
Application steps:
- Register or sign in to GIRAF: form.ares-ac.be/international_trainings_2026_2027
- Navigate to: International Training (year) > My tasks > Competitive calls
- Fill in the form (saving and editing is possible before final submission)
- Submit the application (edits are not allowed after submission)
- Review the Applicant’s Guide for full instructions
Security warning: Do not email personal data; any request for personal data by email may be a phishing attempt.
Application Window
- Opens: 4 August
- Closes: 19 September
FAQs Included in the Source
Can I submit more than one application in a year? No—only one program per year is allowed under ARES scholarships.
Can I apply without two years of experience? No—two years of relevant professional experience is required.
Is French mandatory? Not always; some programs are taught in English, while others may require French proficiency. Check your chosen course language.
