Study in Belgium Free: ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 (Fully Funded)

Are you an ambitious professional or academic looking to expand your expertise in global development? The Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES) has officially opened applications for its prestigious International Training Scholarships for the 2027–2028 academic year.

Funded by the Belgian government through the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, this scholarship offers fully funded grants for professionals from target countries to undertake specialized Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees, or short-term professional continuing education courses in Belgium.

Key Overview of the ARES Scholarship

Full Scholarship Benefits

The ARES scholarship covers all essential expenses so you can focus entirely on your studies:

• Tuition Fees: Full coverage of all academic tuition fees.

• Travel Expenses: International round-trip economy class flights.

• Monthly Allowance: A monthly stipend (~€1,150) to cover housing and living costs.

• Health & Insurance: Comprehensive medical and health insurance coverage throughout your stay.

• Visa Expenses: Reimbursement/coverage of student visa fees and related arrival costs.

Available Programs for the 2027–2028 Call

ARES offers specialized programs delivered in English or French across top Belgian universities.

1. Specialized Master’s Degrees (1 Academic Year)

• Specialized Master in Human Rights

• Specialized Master in International and Development Economics

• Specialized Master in Advanced Microfinance

• Specialized Master in Integrated Health Risk Management

• Specialized Master in Public Health Sciences (Analysis and Evaluation of Health Policies & Systems)

• Specialized Master in Food Chain Safety Management

• Specialized Master in Preventive Conservation & Collections Management

• Specialized Master in Risk & Disaster Management in the Anthropocene Era

2. Specialized Bachelor’s Degrees (1 Academic Year)

• Programs designed for practical, hands-on professional expertise in development fields.

3. Continuing Education Programs (2 to 6 Months)

• Short-term, high-impact professional certificates in health, agriculture, sustainability, and social sciences.

All Eligible Countries (32 Countries)

To qualify, applicants must hold nationality and permanently reside/work in one of the following 32 eligible partner countries:

• Africa (21): South Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zimbabwe.

• South America & the Caribbean (5): Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru.

• Southeast Asia & Asia (6): Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam, Palestine.

Which Arab Countries Are Included?

The ARES scholarship program explicitly includes 3 Arab region territories/countries:

1. Morocco

2. Tunisia

3. Palestine (Note: Palestinian nationals are eligible regardless of their country of residence).

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

1. Residency & Employment: Live and work in one of the 32 eligible partner countries.

2. Work Experience: Have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience after obtaining your qualifying higher education degree.

3. Age Limit:

   • Under 40 years old for Bachelor's and Master's programs.

   • Under 45 years old for short Continuing Education programs.

4. Degree Recency: Higher education degree obtained no more than 20 years prior to the start of the course.

Key Application Timeline & Dates

• August 3, 2026: Application portal opens.

• September 4, 2026 (4:00 PM Belgian Time): GIRAF account creation deadline (new applicants must create their account before this date).

• September 18, 2026 (12:00 PM Belgian Time): Application submission deadline.

• October 2026 – May 2027: Evaluation and selection process.

• June 2027: Announcement of selection results via email.

• September 2027: Program start date in Belgium.

How to Apply

1. GIRAF Platform Account: Visit the official ARES portal and register a new account on the GIRAF platform (if you don't already have a validated account).

2. Fill out the Form: Navigate to "Competitive Calls" -> "Application – International Training 2027–2028".

3. Upload Required Documents:

   • Certified copies of academic degrees & transcripts

   • Certificate of nationality/passport copy

   • Proof of employment / professional experience for the last 5 years

   • Two professional or academic recommendation letters

4. Submit before the deadline: Once submitted, applications cannot be edited.