TL;DR: The Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES) is offering International Training scholarships for the 2027-2028 academic year in Belgium. About 100 awards support one specialised bachelor’s programme, eight specialised master’s programmes, and one continuing education course at higher education institutions of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Applications close on 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1) via the GIRAF platform. Apply only if you permanently reside and work in one of the 32 ARES partner countries (Palestinian nationals are an exception). Start on the official ARES International Training Scholarships 2027-2028 page.
Quick facts
- Programme: ARES International Training scholarships (specialised bachelor’s, specialised master’s, and continuing education)
- Organisation: Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES), Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Belgium
- Host country: Belgium
- Awards: 100 scholarships for the 2027-2028 academic year
- Levels: Specialised bachelor’s (1 year), specialised master’s (1 year), continuing education certificate (up to 6 months)
- Eligibility: Permanent residents working in one of 32 ARES partner countries (Palestinian nationals eligible even if not residing in those countries); higher education degree; at least 2 years relevant professional experience
- Funding type: Fully funded package (travel, subsistence, tuition where applicable, insurance)
- Application opens: 3 August 2026
- Application deadline: 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1)
- Apply via: GIRAF platform (ARES online application system)
What the funding covers
According to the official ARES call for applications, scholarship coverage depends on whether you join a specialised bachelor’s or master’s programme, or a continuing education course.
Specialised bachelor’s and specialised master’s
- International travel (economy class on an IATA airline; maximum one return trip per academic year)
- Subsistence allowance (monthly package for 12 months, plus a reduced 13th month)
- Exceptional visa application costs (up to €200 included in the subsistence allowance; amounts above €200 reimbursed against supporting documents)
- Inter-establishment travel fees (up to €250, based on justified actual costs)
- Tuition fees
- Insurance costs (paid directly by ARES)
Continuing education
- International travel (economy class; maximum one return trip per academic year)
- Subsistence allowance for the duration of the course
- Additional international travel-related fees (fixed €200)
- Indirect mission expenses
- Insurance costs (paid directly by ARES)
ARES states that applying is free. Do not pay any individual or company that claims to represent ARES. Report concerns to the official scholarships cooperation email listed on the ARES site.
Eligible programmes (2027-2028)
Official programme titles for this call include:
One specialised bachelor’s degree
- Bachelier de spécialisation en Digital Integrated Supply Chain
Eight specialised master’s degrees
- Master de spécialisation en droits humains
- Master de spécialisation en gestion intégrée des risques sanitaires
- Specialized Master in International and Development Economics
- Advanced Master in Microfinance
- Master de spécialisation en sciences de la santé publique – analyse et évaluation des politiques, programmes et systèmes de santé internationale
- Master de spécialisation en management de la sécurité de la chaîne alimentaire
- Master de spécialisation en conservation préventive et gestion des collections
- Master de spécialisation en gestion des risques et des catastrophes à l’ère anthropocène
One continuing education course
- Certificat en opérations de cybersécurité et gouvernance des risques
You may apply for only one programme. Review course-specific admission conditions on the ARES website before you submit.
Eligibility
To be eligible under the official call, you must:
- Be a permanent resident and work in one of the 32 eligible ARES partner countries. Exception: Palestinian nationals are eligible even if they do not reside in one of those 32 countries.
- Hold a higher education qualification and meet the admission requirements for the chosen course.
- Have earned the relevant academic degree no more than 20 years before the course starts (extended by one year for each childbirth and/or adoption).
- Show at least two years of relevant professional experience in an eligible country after your most recent higher education qualification.
- Complete the application in the language of instruction and demonstrate good written and spoken command of that language. Basic French helps with daily life in Belgium.
- Apply for only one course.
Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection. Previous ARES grant holders in Belgium are not eligible. You do not need prior admission to a Belgian French-speaking higher education institution to apply for the scholarship.
Eligible countries
The 32 partner countries listed by ARES are:
- Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea (Conakry), Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe
- South America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru
- Southeast Asia and South Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam
- Middle East: Palestine
Key dates and duration
- Call opens: 3 August 2026
- Deadline to create or validate a new GIRAF account: 4 September 2026 at 16:00 Belgian time (UTC+1). New account creation is suspended about two weeks before the application deadline, so late applicants need an already validated account.
- Application deadline: 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1)
- Selection notifications: By June 2027 at the latest (successful, reserve, and unsuccessful candidates)
- Programme duration: Specialised bachelor’s and master’s: one academic year (about September to June/September). Continuing education: up to 6 months.
How to apply
Submit your application only through the official GIRAF platform. ARES describes these steps:
- Have an active GIRAF account. New accounts must be validated by ARES (this can take hours to a few days). Do not create multiple accounts.
- Once logged in, open Competitive Calls and start the Application – International Training 2027-2028 form (click only once).
- Complete the form. Required fields marked with an asterisk must be filled before the first save. You can save as draft and return later via Competitive Calls > My Tasks.
- Upload the required documents, then submit. After submission you cannot edit the file; you can still view it under My Submitted Applications.
Documents typically required for a complete application include:
- 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, national identity card, or passport copy (voter registration cards are not accepted)
- An employer commitment to re-employ you
- A pre-project for certain courses (see course-specific conditions)
FAQ
Is the scholarship fully funded?
Yes for the published package components: international travel, subsistence, insurance, and (for bachelor’s and master’s) tuition and limited visa-related costs. Exact monthly subsistence amounts are set as packages in the call; check the official call PDF for the latest financing table.
Who can apply from outside the 32 countries?
Only the Palestine exception is stated clearly: Palestinian nationals may apply even if they do not reside in one of the 32 partner countries. Other applicants must permanently reside and work in a listed partner country.
Can I apply for more than one programme?
No. ARES requires applicants to choose a single course.
Do I need admission from a Belgian university first?
No. ARES states you do not need prior admission to a French-speaking Belgian higher education institution to apply for these scholarships. You must still meet the chosen course’s academic entry requirements.
I missed the GIRAF account creation deadline. Can I still apply?
If you already have a validated GIRAF account used within the previous two years, you can reuse it and submit by 18 September 2026 at noon Belgian time. If you do not have a validated account and the creation window has closed, you will not be able to open a new account for this call.
