ARES Scholarships 2027–28 in Belgium Fully Funded Apply Fast

The ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 offer international professionals from eligible developing countries the opportunity to complete specialized higher-education training in Belgium with substantial financial support.

The programme is different from many popular international scholarships. It is not a general bachelor’s or master’s scholarship open to applicants worldwide. ARES specifically targets candidates who live and work in one of its eligible partner countries, already hold a higher-education qualification, and have relevant professional experience. The current 2027–2028 call is open, with the final application deadline set for September 18, 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time.

For students comparing opportunities, you can also explore our broader collection of fully funded scholarships and scholarships by country.

ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 at a Glance

Detail	Information
Scholarship	ARES International Training Scholarships
Academic year	2027–2028
Host country	Belgium
Provider	Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES)
Status	Open
Applications opened	August 3, 2026
New GIRAF account deadline	September 4, 2026 at 16:00 Belgian time
Final application deadline	September 18, 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time
Application platform	GIRAF
Application fee	None
Study types	Specialized Bachelor’s, Specialized Master’s, Continuing Education
Programmes	10
Programme duration	Up to 12 months for specialized Bachelor’s/Master’s; up to 6 months for continuing education
Eligible countries	32 ARES partner countries
Applications per candidate	One programme
Professional experience	At least 2 years of relevant experience after the latest higher-education degree
Host region	Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Belgium

The current ARES call confirms the 32-country eligibility framework and the 2027–2028 international training programme.

What Is the ARES Scholarships?

The Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES) coordinates higher education in Belgium’s Wallonia-Brussels Federation and offers international training scholarships to candidates from partner countries.

The International Training Scholarships are designed to strengthen professional and institutional capacity through specialized training in Belgium.

That makes ARES fundamentally different from a conventional scholarship designed simply to fund an international student’s first university degree.

An applicant’s academic background, professional experience, country of residence, chosen training and future professional impact all matter.

If you are comparing different funding models, our guide to government vs. university scholarships explains the major differences.

Is the ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 Open?

Yes.

The 2027–2028 ARES International Training Scholarship call is currently open.

Applications opened on August 3, 2026.

There are two deadlines applicants need to understand:

September 4, 2026 at 16:00 Belgian time: deadline related to creating/obtaining a new GIRAF account.
September 18, 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time: final deadline for submitting the scholarship application.

This distinction is important. Applicants who need a new GIRAF account should not wait until September 18 to begin the process.

What Does the ARES Scholarships Cover?

ARES provides comprehensive financial support for selected international trainees.

Depending on the type of programme, the support includes:

International travel expenses
Living/subsistence allowance
Insurance
Registration-related costs for eligible specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes
Certain visa-related costs
Other programme-specific support

The exact package can depend on whether the applicant is selected for a specialized Bachelor’s, specialized Master’s or continuing-education programme.

Is ARES Scholarships Fully Funded?

ARES is commonly described as a fully funded scholarship because it provides substantial support for travel, living expenses, insurance and eligible programme costs.

However, applicants should not assume that every possible personal expense in Belgium will automatically be reimbursed.

A more accurate description is that ARES provides comprehensive scholarship support covering the major costs associated with the approved training.

This distinction matters because “fully funded” is often used too loosely in scholarship articles. Our fully funded Bachelor’s scholarships guide explains why applicants should always examine exactly what a scholarship covers rather than relying on the label alone.

What Can You Study Under ARES Scholarships 2027–2028?

The 2027–2028 call contains 10 international training programmes divided between specialized Bachelor’s, specialized Master’s and continuing education.

Specialized Bachelor’s Programme

The current call includes:

Digital Integrated Supply Chain

This is a specialized programme and should not be confused with a conventional bachelor’s degree available to students immediately after high school.

Specialized Master’s Programmes

The specialized Master’s options include:

Human Rights
Integrated Health Risk Management
International and Development Economics
Advanced Master in Microfinance
Public Health Sciences — Analysis and Evaluation of International Health Policies, Programmes and Systems
Food Chain Safety Management
Preventive Conservation and Collections Management
Risk and Disaster Management in the Anthropocene Era

Continuing Education Programme

The current call also includes:

Certificate in Cybersecurity Operations and Risk Governance

This programme is particularly relevant for professionals whose work involves cybersecurity, information technology, digital governance or risk management.

Applicants should always check the individual programme’s admission requirements before applying because satisfying the general ARES criteria does not automatically mean that you meet the requirements of every programme.

Who Can Apply for ARES Scholarships 2027–2028?

The eligibility requirements are one of the most important parts of this scholarship.

ARES does not accept applications from every international student.

You Must Live and Work in an Eligible Country

The applicant must be a permanent resident and worker in one of the 32 ARES eligible countries.

There is a specific exception for Palestinian nationals under the current eligibility rules.

ARES Eligible Countries

The current eligible-country group includes:

Africa

Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ethiopia
Guinea
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Madagascar
Mali
Morocco
Mozambique
Niger
Rwanda
Senegal
South Africa
Tanzania
Tunisia
Uganda
Zimbabwe

Asia

Cambodia
Indonesia
Nepal
Philippines
Vietnam

Latin America and Caribbean

Bolivia
Cuba
Ecuador
Haiti
Peru

The official ARES 2027–2028 eligibility information should be treated as the final authority because country lists can change between scholarship cycles.

Important: Pakistan and India

Pakistan and India are not included in the current 32-country ARES eligibility list.

Therefore, students searching for “ARES Scholarship for Pakistani students” or “ARES Scholarship for Indian students” should not assume that they can apply.

Always check the current eligibility list before preparing an application.

Academic Requirements

ARES is designed for applicants who already have higher education qualifications.

Applicants must have an academic background that satisfies the requirements of their selected training programme.

This means ARES is generally not the right opportunity for a student who has just completed high school and is looking for their first bachelor’s degree.

The exact academic qualification required depends on the programme.

For that reason, applicants should check the specific programme requirements before submitting their application.

Professional Experience Requirement for ARES Scholarships

One of the most important ARES requirements is professional experience.

Applicants generally need:

At least two years of relevant professional experience after obtaining their most recent higher-education degree.

This requirement makes ARES particularly suitable for working professionals rather than applicants who have recently graduated and have little or no professional experience.

For example, someone who completed a relevant degree and then spent several years working in public health, economics, cybersecurity, development, supply-chain management or another relevant field may have a much stronger fit than a recent graduate with no professional experience.

How Old Can Your Degree Be?

The current eligibility framework generally allows the relevant higher-education degree to have been obtained no more than 20 years before the beginning of the training.

There are specific provisions concerning childbirth and/or adoption that can affect this calculation.

Applicants should therefore calculate the degree date carefully instead of assuming that an older qualification automatically disqualifies them.

Do You Need to Meet Programme-Specific Requirements?

Yes.

General ARES eligibility is only the first step.

Your selected programme may have additional requirements relating to:

Academic background
Professional experience
Language
Previous coursework
Professional responsibilities
Other programme-specific criteria

A candidate who meets the general ARES requirements but does not meet the admission requirements of the selected programme should not assume that the scholarship application will compensate for that deficiency.

How Long Are ARES Programmes?

The duration depends on the type of training.

Specialized Bachelor’s

Up to 12 months.

Specialized Master’s

Up to 12 months.

Continuing Education

Up to 6 months.

This makes ARES particularly attractive to professionals who want targeted international training without committing to a conventional multi-year degree.

How to Apply for ARES Scholarships 2027–2028

Applications are submitted through the GIRAF application system.

The process should be approached in the following order.

Step 1: Check Your Country Eligibility

Before creating an application, confirm that you permanently reside and work in one of the eligible ARES partner countries.

Do this first.

There is little point preparing documents for several days if your country is not eligible.

Step 2: Choose One Programme

Study the available programmes and identify the one that matches your academic and professional background.

You can apply for only one programme.

Do not submit multiple ARES applications in the hope that applying more often will increase your chances.

Step 3: Check the Programme Requirements

Once you have selected a programme, examine its individual admission requirements.

Check your:

Degree
Academic background
Professional experience
Language ability
Other programme-specific conditions

Step 4: Create Your GIRAF Account

ARES uses the GIRAF platform for the application.

If you need a new account, pay particular attention to the September 4, 2026 at 16:00 Belgian time deadline.

This is earlier than the final scholarship application deadline.

Step 5: Complete the Application

Enter your personal, academic and professional information accurately.

Do not copy generic information from another scholarship application.

Your application should clearly demonstrate why your chosen ARES programme makes sense given your previous education and professional experience.

Step 6: Prepare Your Supporting Documents

Prepare the documents requested by ARES and your selected programme.

These can include evidence of:

Identity
Nationality/residence
Higher education
Academic history
Professional experience
Employment
Language proficiency
Programme-specific qualifications

Do not upload documents simply because they were required by a different scholarship.

Follow the requirements attached to your selected ARES programme.

Step 7: Review Your Application

Before submission, check every section.

Pay particular attention to:

Names and dates
Degree information
Employment dates
Professional experience
Selected programme
Uploaded documents
Contact details

Inconsistencies between your academic and professional information can create unnecessary problems during evaluation.

Step 8: Submit Before the Deadline

The final deadline is:

September 18, 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time.

Do not leave submission until the final hour.

According to the current application guidance, once an application has been submitted, it cannot be modified.

What Documents Do You Need?

There is no reason to publish an artificial universal document list when requirements can vary by programme.

Applicants should prepare documentation demonstrating:

Academic Background

Evidence of your higher-education qualification and academic history.

Professional Experience

Evidence showing your relevant professional experience.

This is especially important because the two-year professional-experience requirement is a core part of ARES eligibility.

Identity and Residence

Documents establishing the applicant’s identity and eligibility under the ARES country requirements.

Language Ability

Where required by the selected programme, applicants may need to demonstrate the required language proficiency.

Programme-Specific Documents

Some programmes can require additional documents.

The correct approach is therefore:

Choose your programme first → read its requirements → prepare the documents specifically requested.

How to Write a Strong ARES Scholarships Application

The strongest ARES application should tell a coherent professional story.

Think of your application as:

Education → Professional Experience → ARES Training → Development Need → Future Impact

For example:

A public-health professional has several years of experience working with health programmes but lacks advanced training in evaluating international health policies. The ARES Public Health Sciences programme directly addresses that professional gap, and the applicant intends to use the skills gained after returning to their professional environment.

That is stronger than simply writing:

“I want to study in Belgium because Belgium has good universities.”

Focus on Professional Impact

ARES is fundamentally connected to capacity building.

Your application should therefore explain what the training will enable you to do professionally.

Ask yourself:

What problem am I currently working on?
What skills am I missing?
Why is this specific ARES programme relevant?
How will the training improve my work?
How can the knowledge benefit my institution or wider community?

Common ARES Scholarships Mistakes

Applying From an Ineligible Country

This is the biggest mistake.

ARES is not globally open.

Check the current 32-country list before doing anything else.

Applying Without the Required Professional Experience

The programme is aimed at candidates with professional experience.

If you do not satisfy the experience requirement, do not assume a strong academic record will compensate for it.

Applying to Multiple Programmes

ARES allows applicants to select one programme.

Choose carefully.

Choosing a Programme That Does Not Match Your Background

Do not choose a programme solely because it sounds prestigious or because you want to move to Belgium.

Your academic and professional history should make the programme choice logical.

Missing the GIRAF Deadline

The final deadline is September 18, but applicants who need a new GIRAF account have an earlier deadline.

September 4, 2026 — 16:00 Belgian time is therefore a critical date.

Submitting Without Checking the Application

Once submitted, changes may not be possible.

Review everything before pressing submit.

ARES Scholarships Timeline 2027–2028

Stage	Date
Applications open	August 3, 2026
New GIRAF account deadline	September 4, 2026 — 16:00 Belgian time
Final application deadline	September 18, 2026 — 12:00 noon Belgian time
Selection period	October 2026–May 2027
Expected results	By June 2027
Programme begins	September 2027

The exact selection and notification schedule should be checked against ARES announcements as the process progresses. The application opening and eligibility information are confirmed by the current ARES call.

ARES Scholarships vs Other Scholarships

ARES is best suited to a specific type of applicant.

Applicant profile	ARES suitability
High-school student	Low
Fresh bachelor’s graduate with no work experience	Low
Experienced professional	High
Applicant from an eligible ARES country	Required
Applicant seeking specialized training	High
Applicant seeking a normal bachelor’s degree	Not the main purpose
Applicant seeking a specialized Master’s	High
Applicant seeking short professional training	High

If you are looking for a broader range of European opportunities, you can browse our European scholarship guides or explore all available scholarships.

Is ARES a Good Scholarship for Working Professionals?

Yes. This is arguably where ARES is most attractive.

Many highly advertised scholarships are designed around conventional full-time Master’s or PhD programmes. ARES also provides specialized programmes and continuing education options that are much more closely connected to professional development.

The requirement for relevant work experience reinforces this focus.

If you already have a degree and several years of professional experience, ARES can therefore be more relevant than scholarships aimed primarily at recent graduates.

Is ARES a Good Option for Cybersecurity Professionals?

Potentially, yes.

The 2027–2028 call includes the Certificate in Cybersecurity Operations and Risk Governance under continuing education.

That makes this particular programme relevant to professionals working in:

Cybersecurity
Information technology
Risk management
Digital governance
Information security

However, applicants still need to satisfy the programme’s specific admission requirements.

What Happens After You Apply?

After the application deadline, ARES evaluates applications through its selection process.

Applicants should not assume that meeting the minimum eligibility requirements guarantees selection.

The application must remain competitive against other eligible candidates.

Results are expected to be communicated by the stated timeframe, with the 2027–2028 programme scheduled to begin in September 2027.

ARES Scholarships 2027–2028: Final Checklist

Before submitting your application, confirm:

My country is on the current ARES eligible-country list.
I permanently reside and work in the eligible country.
I hold the required higher-education qualification.
I have the required relevant professional experience.
My degree falls within the applicable age requirement.
I meet the requirements of my chosen programme.
I selected only one programme.
I created/validated my GIRAF account on time.
I prepared the required supporting documents.
My academic and professional information is accurate.
I reviewed the entire application.
I submitted before September 18, 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time.

ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 FAQs

When is the ARES Scholarship 2027–2028 deadline?

The final deadline is September 18, 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time. Applicants who need a new GIRAF account have an earlier September 4 deadline.

Is the ARES Scholarship currently open?

Yes. The 2027–2028 International Training Scholarship call is currently open.

How many countries are eligible?

The current 2027–2028 call covers 32 ARES partner countries, with a specific exception for Palestinian nationals.

Can Pakistani students apply?

Pakistan is not included in the current 32-country ARES eligibility list.

Can Indian students apply?

India is not included in the current 32-country ARES eligibility list.

Do I need work experience?

Yes. The current eligibility framework requires relevant professional experience, generally at least two years after the latest higher-education degree.

Can I apply for more than one programme?

No. Candidates should select one ARES training programme.

Is there an application fee?

No application fee is required for the ARES scholarship application.

Is ARES fully funded?

ARES provides comprehensive financial support including travel, subsistence/living support, insurance and eligible programme-related costs. The exact support depends on the training category.

What degree levels are available?

The current call includes Specialized Bachelor’s, Specialized Master’s and Continuing Education programmes.

How long are the programmes?

Specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes can last up to 12 months, while continuing education can last up to 6 months.

Where do I apply?

Applications are submitted through the GIRAF platform used by ARES.

Final Verdict

The ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 are worth serious consideration if you are an experienced professional from one of the eligible ARES partner countries and want specialized training in Belgium.

But this is not a scholarship where everyone should simply create an account and apply.

The critical filters are:

Eligible country + higher-education qualification + relevant professional experience + suitable programme.

If you pass those filters, the next priority is the application itself.

And because the current cycle has a September 4 GIRAF account deadline followed by the September 18 final application deadline, eligible candidates should start immediately rather than treating the September 18 date as their only deadline.

Official ARES Resources

Explore More Scholarships

For readers who do not qualify for ARES, our scholarship database is the better next step. You can also browse scholarships by country and our latest scholarship guides.