ARES Scholarship in Belgium (Fully Funded)

If you’ve been searching for a genuinely fully funded way to study or train in Europe, the ARES Scholarship in Belgium deserves the top spot on your shortlist. Every year, the ARES Scholarship in Belgium (fully funded) program covers tuition, flights, monthly living costs, and insurance for roughly 200 international students and professionals from developing countries — with zero application fees.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the ARES Scholarship in Belgium: who funds it, what it pays for, who qualifies, the full list of eligible countries, the step-by-step GIRAF application process, and insider tips to strengthen your application.

Current Application Cycle

• Intake: 2027–2028 Academic Year
• Application opens: August 3, 2026
• Application deadline: September 18, 2026, 12:00 PM (Belgian time, UTC+1)
• Scholarships available: ~200 (130 for Bachelor’s/Master’s, 70 for Continuing Education)
• Application fee: €0 (completely free)

What Is the ARES Scholarship in Belgium?

The ARES Scholarship in Belgium is a fully funded scholarship programme run by the Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES) — the federation of French-speaking higher education institutions in Belgium’s Wallonia-Brussels Federation. ARES brings together more than 120 accredited institutions, making the ARES Scholarship in Belgium one of the broadest fully funded programs in Europe for students and professionals from developing countries.

Unlike many “fully funded” scholarships that only cover tuition, the ARES Scholarship in Belgium (fully funded) genuinely covers your full cost of study: tuition, flights, monthly stipend, insurance, and arrival support — with no hidden costs and no application fee at any stage.

The programme funds three types of study under the same ARES Scholarship in Belgium umbrella:

• Specialized Bachelor’s programmes — 1 academic year
• Specialized Master’s degrees — 1 academic year
• Continuing Education / Training courses — 2 to 6 months

If you want a broader comparison of similar opportunities first, see our pillar guide on fully funded scholarships for international students.

Who Funds the ARES Scholarship in Belgium?

The ARES Scholarship in Belgium is funded directly by the Belgian government through the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation (DGD), and administered by ARES on behalf of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. The mission behind the ARES Scholarship in Belgium is capacity-building: helping graduates and professionals from partner countries gain advanced skills they can bring back home to drive development in fields like health, agriculture, human rights, and environmental management.

Because it’s government-funded rather than university-funded, the ARES Scholarship in Belgium application process is centralized through a single portal (GIRAF) rather than dozens of separate university applications — which makes it more efficient to apply to than most European scholarships.

ARES Scholarship in Belgium Fully Funded — Benefits

Here’s exactly what the ARES Scholarship in Belgium (fully funded) award covers:

This combination is why the ARES Scholarship in Belgium is consistently ranked among the most generous fully funded scholarships available to applicants from the Global South, on par with programmes like the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), which we’ve also covered in detail.

Eligibility Criteria for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium

To qualify for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be a permanent resident and currently working in one of the ARES eligible/partner countries (see full list below). Palestinian nationals are eligible even without residing in one of these countries.
• Hold the required academic qualification:
• A Bachelor’s-level degree for the Specialized Bachelor’s programme
• A Master’s-level (or equivalent, 2nd-cycle/300 ECTS) degree for Specialized Master’s and Continuing Education programmes
• Have earned your most recent degree no more than 20 years before the programme starts (extended by 1 year per childbirth or adoption)
• Have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience in an eligible country, gained after your most recent degree
• Be under 40 years old for Bachelor’s/Master’s programmes, or under 45 years old for Continuing Education courses
• Demonstrate good written and spoken proficiency in the language of instruction of your chosen programme (mostly French; some English-taught options exist)
• Apply for only one ARES programme per intake year
• Have a validated GIRAF account

Because the ARES Scholarship in Belgium is aimed at working professionals rather than fresh graduates, it’s a particularly strong fit if you’re a few years into your career and want a fully funded route to specialize further. If you’re earlier in your academic journey, browse our Undergraduate or Master’s Degree scholarship categories instead.

List of Eligible Countries for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium

The ARES Scholarship in Belgium is open to permanent residents of roughly 31–32 partner countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America/the Caribbean. Always confirm the current list on the official ARES page (dofollow) before applying, as it is reviewed annually.

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

Latin America & the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru

Asia: Cambodia, Vietnam

Middle East: Palestinian Territories (nationals are eligible even without residing in a partner country)

If your country isn’t listed, check our Ghana, Germany, and France scholarship hubs for other fully funded options in Europe and beyond.

Fields of Study Covered Under the ARES Scholarship in Belgium

The ARES Scholarship in Belgium funds programmes across development-focused disciplines, including:

• Aquaculture and food technology
• Public health and integrated health risk management
• Economics and international development
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Information technology
• Agriculture and environmental management
• Human rights and governance
• Microfinance
• Food safety and disaster management

Each intake year, the exact list of eligible programmes changes slightly. Always check the current programme catalogue on the official ARES site before choosing which one to apply for — remember, you can only apply for one programme under the ARES Scholarship in Belgium per cycle.

How to Apply for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium (Step-by-Step)

Applying to the ARES Scholarship in Belgium happens entirely online through the GIRAF platform. Here’s the full process:

1. Create a GIRAF account. If you already have a validated account from a previous year, reuse it (reset your password if needed).
2. Wait for account validation. ARES typically validates new accounts within a few hours to a few days. Don’t create multiple accounts — it can delay your ARES Scholarship in Belgium application.
3. Log in and go to “Competitive Calls.” Once validated, access your GIRAF profile and locate the “International Training Application” form for the current academic year.
4. Choose ONE eligible programme that matches your qualifications, professional background, and development goals.
5. Complete the application form carefully. You can save your progress as a draft and return to it later via “My Tasks.”
6. Upload all required documents (see checklist below).
7. Submit your application. Once submitted, you cannot edit it — so review everything twice before clicking submit.
8. Wait for the admissibility check, where ARES verifies you meet the basic administrative criteria before forwarding your file to the selection committee.
9. Selection results are typically released several months after the deadline. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further steps or interviews.

Required Documents for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium Application

Prepare these documents in advance so your ARES Scholarship in Belgium application goes smoothly:

• Valid passport copy
• Certified copies of academic degrees/diplomas and transcripts
• CV / Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation letter (in the language of instruction of your chosen programme)
• Proof of professional experience (employment letters/certificates)
• Proof of residency and employment in an eligible country
• Language proficiency evidence (where required by the specific programme)
• Passport-sized photo

Documents not originally in English or French/Dutch typically need to be officially translated — start this early, as certified translations can take weeks.

ARES Scholarship in Belgium Application Deadline

The ARES Scholarship in Belgium call typically opens in early August and closes in mid-to-late September each year. For the exact current-cycle date, always refer to the “Current Application Cycle” box at the top of this article, which we update annually, or the official ARES scholarship page.

Because the ARES Scholarship in Belgium window is relatively short (around 6–7 weeks), we recommend starting document preparation at least 2 months before the call opens.

Is IELTS or TOEFL Required for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium?

This is one of the most searched questions about the ARES Scholarship in Belgium, and the honest answer is: usually not, in the standardized-test sense. ARES does not universally require a certified English or French test score (like IELTS, TOEFL, DELF, or DALF) across all programmes. Instead, your language proficiency is assessed through:

• The quality of your motivation letter and pre-project write-up
• Your interview performance, if shortlisted
• Whether your submitted documents are written fluently in the language of instruction

Most ARES Scholarship in Belgium programmes are taught in French, so basic conversational French genuinely helps with daily life in Wallonia even where it isn’t a strict admission requirement. A small number of Continuing Education courses are taught in English. Always check the language of instruction listed for your specific programme before applying.

How to Avoid ARES Scholarship Scams

Because the ARES Scholarship in Belgium is completely free to apply for, be cautious of any third party asking for payment for “processing,” “registration,” or “guaranteed placement.” ARES has publicly warned about fraudulent organizations falsely claiming affiliation with the programme. Rules of thumb:

• The official ARES Scholarship in Belgium application is 100% free at every stage.
• The only legitimate ARES scholarship contact is through the official ares-ac.be domain and its listed scholarship email.
• Never pay anyone claiming they can “guarantee” your selection.

ARES Scholarship in Belgium vs. Other Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe

If you’re weighing your options beyond the ARES Scholarship in Belgium, here’s how it stacks up against other major fully funded programmes:

For more European options, explore our Germany and France scholarship pages.

Tips to Strengthen Your ARES Scholarship in Belgium Application

• Apply early — don’t wait until the last week of the ARES Scholarship in Belgium call to create your GIRAF account.
• Choose one programme strategically — since you can only apply to one, pick the programme that best matches your degree, experience, and career goals.
• Write your motivation letter in the language of instruction — and have a fluent speaker review it.
• Show clear development impact — explain specifically how the skills you’ll gain will benefit your home country or sector.
• Get your documents translated early — certified translations can take weeks.
• Double-check before submitting — you cannot edit your ARES Scholarship in Belgium application after submission.

What People Also Ask About the ARES Scholarship in Belgium

Is the ARES Scholarship in Belgium really fully funded?
Yes. The ARES Scholarship in Belgium covers tuition, a €1,150 monthly allowance, round-trip flights, insurance, and arrival costs, with no application fee.

How much is the ARES Scholarship in Belgium monthly allowance?
Recipients receive €1,150 per month for 12 months, plus a one-time arrival allowance of €700 and €150 in indirect mission fees.

Who is eligible for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium?
Permanent residents working in one of the ~31 ARES partner countries, holding the relevant degree, aged under 40 (or under 45 for training courses), with at least 2 years of professional experience.

Is French required for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium?
Most programmes are taught in French and language ability is assessed through your written application and interview rather than a standardized test score, though a small number of courses are taught in English.

Can I apply to more than one ARES programme in the same year?
No. Applicants may apply for only one programme per intake year under the ARES Scholarship in Belgium.

When does the ARES Scholarship in Belgium application open?
The call typically opens in early August and closes in mid-to-late September each year — check the “Current Application Cycle” box above for this year’s exact dates.

Is there an application fee for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium?
No. Applying is completely free at every stage, and no legitimate representative of ARES will ever ask you to pay.

Related Fully Funded Scholarships You Should Also Check

• Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students (Best 2026)
• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): Fully Funded
• UCL Research Excellence Scholarship (RES)
• Master’s Degree Scholarships
• PhD Scholarships
• Germany Scholarships
• France Scholarships

Final Thoughts on the ARES Scholarship in Belgium (Fully Funded)

The ARES Scholarship in Belgium remains one of the most genuinely generous, low-barrier fully funded opportunities available to professionals from developing countries — free to apply, broad in eligible fields, and comprehensive in what it covers. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the biggest risk isn’t rejection; it’s missing the short application window. Bookmark this page, prepare your documents early, and apply directly through the official ARES Scholarship in Belgium portal (— never through a third party charging fees.

For more fully funded opportunities like this one, browse our complete scholarship listing or explore programmes by study level and country. Explore more fully funded Master’s scholarships