Fully funded short programs abroad can offer professionals and graduates a practical way to gain international training without committing to a full degree programme. The ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 are particularly relevant for professionals from eligible developing countries who want to undertake specialised training in Belgium.
The scholarship supports selected international training programmes and provides financial assistance that can include international travel, a subsistence allowance and insurance, while tuition fees are covered for the bachelor’s and specialised master’s programmes included in the call. The training opportunities last up to 12 months for bachelor’s and specialised master’s programmes and up to six months for continuing training.
For applicants from Africa, the programme is especially notable because Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and several other African countries are included among the 32 eligible countries.
Opportunity Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | ARES – Académie de recherche et d’enseignement supérieur |
| Opportunity | International Training Scholarships |
| Intake | 2027–2028 |
| Location | Belgium |
| Opportunity type | International training scholarship |
| Programmes | Specialised bachelor’s, specialised master’s and continuing training |
| Maximum duration | 12 months for bachelor’s/master’s; 6 months for continuing training |
| Eligible countries | 32 partner countries |
| Zimbabwe eligible? | Yes |
| Funding | Travel, subsistence, insurance and other specified costs |
| Tuition | Covered for bachelor’s and specialised master’s programmes |
| Application deadline | 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1) |
| Applications | Online through the GIRAF platform |
| Applications per candidate | One programme |
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Official ARES International Training Scholarships page
What Are the ARES International Training Scholarships?
The ARES International Training Scholarships provide opportunities for eligible applicants from partner countries to undertake selected training programmes in Belgium.
Rather than being a single scholarship attached to one course, the call covers several training options. For the 2027–2028 call, ARES lists one specialised bachelor’s programme, eight specialised master’s programmes and one continuing training course.
This makes the opportunity relevant to different stages of professional development, although applicants must meet the admission requirements of the specific programme they select.
The programme is particularly useful for professionals who want international academic or professional exposure without necessarily pursuing a conventional multi-year degree abroad.
Why This Opportunity Matters
One of the strongest features of the ARES scholarship is that it can reduce several of the major costs associated with international study.
The scholarship includes:
- International travel expenses.
- A subsistence allowance.
- Insurance costs.
- Exceptional visa-related costs for specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes.
- Tuition fees for specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes.
- Indirect mission expenses for continuing education.
This combination can make the programme considerably more accessible than an international training opportunity where applicants must independently finance travel, accommodation and tuition.
Another important advantage is its professional orientation. Applicants are required to demonstrate relevant work experience, meaning the programme is not designed simply as a general study-abroad opportunity for anyone who has recently completed school.
Who Should Apply?
The ARES scholarships are most relevant to applicants who already have an academic and professional foundation and want to develop specialised expertise.
Potentially suitable applicants include professionals working in areas connected to their selected training programme, particularly those seeking to strengthen their expertise and apply new knowledge in their home countries.
Applicants should consider applying if they:
- Live and work in one of the 32 eligible countries.
- Hold the required graduate-level qualification.
- Have at least two years of relevant professional experience.
- Meet the academic admission requirements of their selected programme.
- Can study in the language in which their chosen programme is taught.
- Have a clear professional reason for undertaking the training.
The opportunity is therefore better viewed as professional development through international training rather than simply a scholarship for studying abroad.
Eligibility Explained
ARES requires applicants to be permanent residents and workers in one of the 32 eligible countries. Palestinian nationals are an exception and can qualify even if they do not reside in one of the listed countries.
The African countries included in the call are:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Other eligible countries are located in South America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia, with Palestine also included.
Academic requirement
Applicants must hold a graduate degree and meet the admission requirements for the specific programme.
ARES states that the relevant academic qualification must generally have been obtained no more than 20 years before the start of the programme. This limit can be extended by one year for each childbirth and/or adoption.
This is an important detail for experienced professionals because eligibility is not restricted only to people who graduated recently.
Professional experience
Applicants must demonstrate at least two years of relevant professional experience in one of the eligible countries between completing their most recent graduate degree and the application deadline.
This requirement means applicants should be able to demonstrate a meaningful connection between their professional background and the training they are applying to undertake.
Language
Applications must be completed in the language in which the programme is taught, and candidates must demonstrate good written and spoken command of that language.
ARES also notes that basic French can make daily integration in Belgium easier.
One application only
Applicants can apply for only one programme.
This makes programme selection particularly important. Candidates should research the available courses carefully rather than submitting an application simply because a programme appears attractive.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The ARES scholarship provides several forms of financial support.
| Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|
| International travel | Covered |
| Subsistence | Allowance provided |
| Insurance | Covered |
| Tuition | Covered for specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes |
| Visa-related exceptional costs | Covered for specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes |
| Indirect mission expenses | Provided for continuing training |
The organization does not specify a universal cash amount for the subsistence allowance in the supplied call information. Applicants should therefore not rely on unofficial estimates when planning their finances.
It is also important to note that the funding structure differs according to the type of programme. Tuition and exceptional visa costs are specifically stated for specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes, while continuing training has its own support provisions.
What Will Participants Actually Do?
The exact academic or professional activities depend on the programme selected.
ARES lists multiple specialised training options rather than one universal curriculum. Participants will therefore undertake the coursework, training or professional learning activities associated with their chosen programme.
For applicants, this means the most important first step is to examine the individual programme’s content and admission requirements.
A strong application should make it clear why the selected training is relevant to the applicant’s existing career and what practical value the new expertise could provide.
How Competitive Is the Opportunity?
ARES does not provide an acceptance rate in the supplied information, so applicants should not rely on claims about their statistical chances of selection.
However, the programme has several factors that make careful preparation important:
- Applicants must satisfy nationality and residency conditions.
- Relevant professional experience is required.
- Academic qualifications must meet programme-specific requirements.
- Applicants may select only one programme.
- Candidates must demonstrate appropriate language ability.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The one-programme rule is particularly important.
Because applicants cannot submit multiple applications under the same call, choosing a programme should be treated as a strategic decision. The best choice is not necessarily the course with the broadest title, but the one that most clearly matches the applicant’s education, professional experience and future objectives.
How to Improve Your Application
Match your experience to the programme
Your professional history should make sense in relation to your selected training. Clearly explain how your previous work has prepared you for the programme.
Explain the career value
Do not simply state that you want to study in Belgium. Explain what specific knowledge or skills you expect to gain and why they matter to your professional development.
Demonstrate relevant experience
Because ARES requires at least two years of relevant professional experience, applicants should clearly present responsibilities and achievements that demonstrate this experience.
Research the programme before applying
Since only one programme can be selected, compare the course content, admission requirements and relevance to your career before beginning the application.
Start early
The GIRAF application can be saved as a draft and completed over multiple sessions. Applicants should therefore avoid leaving the submission until the deadline.
Documents and Application Preparation
Applicants should expect to provide information demonstrating their academic background, professional experience and eligibility.
The application process requires a GIRAF account. Candidates who do not already have a validated account must first complete the account creation process.
ARES also provides an applicant guide for candidates who need assistance with the platform.
Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying without checking whether their country is eligible.
- Selecting more than one programme.
- Ignoring the programme-specific admission requirements.
- Assuming any postgraduate degree automatically qualifies them.
- Failing to demonstrate two years of relevant professional experience.
- Applying for a course unrelated to their professional background.
- Waiting until the final hours to submit.
- Assuming the scholarship covers every expense without checking the specific funding conditions.
- Submitting the application without carefully reviewing the information.
- Forgetting that an application cannot be modified after submission.
The final point is particularly important. ARES states that once an application has been submitted, it can no longer be modified.
How to Apply
The official application process is completed through the GIRAF platform.
Step 1: Create or access a GIRAF account
Applicants with an existing validated ARES account can log in. New applicants must request account creation.
Step 2: Access the application
After logging in, navigate to Competitive Calls and select Application – International Training 2027–2028.
Step 3: Complete the application
Fill in the required sections and save the application as a draft if you need to return to it later.
Step 4: Review everything carefully
Check your eligibility, programme choice, academic information and professional experience before submission.
Step 5: Submit
Select Submit my application once the application is complete.
After submission, the application can be found under Competitive Calls → My Submitted Applications.
Official application information: ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028
Application Deadline
Deadline: Friday, 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1).
The call opened on 3 August 2026.
Applicants should not wait until the final day, particularly because account creation and application preparation may require additional time.
What Happens After You Apply?
The supplied call information explains how to submit an application but does not provide a complete selection timeline or guarantee a specific date by which applicants will receive decisions.
Candidates should therefore monitor the official ARES application platform and communications after submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a fully funded opportunity?
The scholarship provides substantial financial support, including international travel, subsistence and insurance. Tuition is covered for the specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes listed in the call. Applicants should check the specific funding provisions for their selected programme.
Can Zimbabweans apply?
Yes. Zimbabwe is one of the 32 eligible countries.
Do I need work experience?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate at least two years of relevant professional experience under the conditions specified by ARES.
Can recent graduates apply?
Graduation recency alone does not determine eligibility. Applicants must meet the professional-experience requirement and the other conditions of the selected programme.
Can I apply for more than one programme?
No. ARES states that each applicant may apply for only one programme.
How long are the programmes?
Specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes can last up to 12 months, while continuing training can last up to six months.
Is travel covered?
Yes. International travel expenses are included in the scholarship.
Does the scholarship cover tuition?
Tuition fees are specifically included for the specialised bachelor’s and specialised master’s programmes.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1).
Can I change my application after submitting it?
No. ARES states that submitted applications can no longer be modified.
Opportunities Feed Verdict
Opportunities Feed Verdict: The ARES International Training Scholarships are particularly worth considering for experienced professionals from eligible developing countries who want specialised international training without taking on the full cost of studying abroad. The strongest advantages are the combination of international travel support, subsistence assistance, insurance and, for the relevant programmes, tuition coverage. The biggest consideration is that applicants must carefully select one programme and demonstrate both the required academic background and relevant professional experience. For eligible professionals in countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Mozambique, this is an opportunity worth preparing for well before the September deadline.
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