The ARES Scholarships 2026 offer international students from developing nations a fully funded opportunity to study in Belgium. Studying abroad has the potential to change lives, but financial constraints are typically the limiting factor. Regardless of whether you are enrolled in a specialized bachelor’s, master’s, or advanced training program, this scholarship will pay for your tuition, living expenses, and travel expenses, allowing you to focus solely on your academic and professional growth.
Scholarship Overview
The ARES Scholarships 2026, provided by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES), are funded by the Federation of Wallonie-Bruxelles.
The ARES Scholarships 2026 aim to support students from developing countries who want to undertake higher education in Belgium.
The ARES Scholarships 2026 covers undergraduate, master’s, and training courses, offering financial assistance to cover international travel, living expenses, tuition fees, and other academic costs.
The ARES Scholarships 2026 for masters and training courses offer the chance to pursue a one-year specialized master’s degree program or a 4-to-6-month advanced training course within a higher education institution of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Belgium.
Available Programs
- Bachelor’s Scholarships
- Specialized Bachelor in Business Data Analysis
- Specialized Bachelor in Pediatrics and NeonatologyMaster’s Scholarships
- Master’s Degree in Development, Environment, and Societies
- Master of Specialization in Human Rights- Master of Specialization in Aquatic Resources Management and Aquaculture
- Master of Specialization in Risk and Disaster Management- And several others in public health, microfinance, transportation, and logistics.Training Courses.
- Internship in Control and Quality Assurance of Medicines and Health Products
- Research Internship for Health Systems Strengthening
- Internship in Geographical Information Systems
- Internship in Sustainable Construction and Family Farming Innovation
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the ARES Scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions:- Citizenship:
- Applicants must be citizens of an eligible developing country (e.g., Benin, Bolivia, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal, etc.).
- Applicants must be under 40 years old for degree programs and under 45 for training courses; if the Age bracket exceeds 40 years, the Candidate will not be considered.
- Possess a diploma that is comparable to a university degree in Belgium.
- Possess a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in a developing nation.
- Possess fluency in either French or English, depending on the program’s language requirements.
Application Procedures
To apply correctly for the ARES Scholarship, applicants must follow these steps:
- Registration in GIRAF Account: The applicant has to first get registered on the GIRAF website.
- Filing of the Application Form: Once registered, the applicant has to access the appropriate application form under the “Calls Competitive” section of the account.
- Submit Before the Deadline :Ensure all required documents are attached and submit the application before the deadline.
- Once submitted, applications are reviewed based on eligibility and academic.
Benefits of ARES Scholarships 2026
The ARES Scholarship provides comprehensive financial coverage, including:
- International Travel Costs: Students Economy-class airfare for one round-trip per academic year is being taken care of by the scholarship.
- Living Allowance : €1,150 per month for degree programs, €1,400 per month for training courses.
- Arrival and Tuition Fees : A one-time payment of €700 for initial expenses.
- Insurance and Miscellaneous Expenses: Stipends are being provided to Candidates for their expenses during the study period.
- Health insurance and inter-university travel reimbursements: Applicants are entitled to free medical services throughout their study.
Why Choose Belgium for your studies?
Belgium offers high-quality education with globally recognized universities.
The Wallonia-Brussels Federation schools are perfect for students looking for occupations that have an effect since they offer specialized courses that tackle global issues.
Furthermore, studying in Belgium exposes one to a multicultural setting and offers beneficial networking chances.
Application and Deadline
The next application call for ARES Scholarships will open in August 2025.
To stay informed, interested candidates should prepare their documents ahead of time and visit the official ARES website.
Official Scholarship Page: https://www.ares-ac.be/fr/cooperation-au-developpement/bourses