Belgium ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 are open for applicants from 32 eligible countries, offering support for specialised bachelor’s, master’s and continuing training programs. Applications close September 18, 2026.
Applications are open for the ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 in Belgium, offering eligible professionals from 32 partner countries an opportunity to pursue specialised higher education and professional training with financial support.
The scholarship call opened on August 3, 2026, and applications must be submitted through the ARES GIRAF platform by September 18, 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1).
Applicants who do not already have a GIRAF account face an earlier deadline: requests for the creation and validation of new accounts must be completed by September 4, 2026 at 12 noon Belgian time.
The program supports one specialised bachelor’s degree, eight specialised master’s programs and one continuing training course. Successful applicants may receive support for international travel, subsistence, insurance and, depending on the type of program, tuition fees and certain visa-related expenses.
ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | ARES International Training Scholarships |
| Country | Belgium |
| Academic Year | 2027–2028 |
| Opening Date | August 3, 2026 |
| GIRAF Account Deadline | September 4, 2026 at 12 noon Belgian time |
| Final Application Deadline | September 18, 2026 at 12 noon Belgian time |
| Eligible Countries | 32 partner countries |
| Programs | Specialised Bachelor’s, Specialised Master’s, Continuing Training |
| Bachelor’s/Master’s Duration | Maximum 12 months |
| Continuing Training Duration | Maximum 6 months |
| Work Experience | At least 2 years relevant professional experience |
| Degree Requirement | Graduate degree meeting program admission requirements |
| Application Platform | GIRAF |
| International Travel | Covered |
| Subsistence Allowance | Included |
| Insurance | Included |
| Tuition | Included for specialised bachelor’s and master’s |
| Visa-related Exceptional Costs | Included for bachelor’s and specialised master’s |
What Are the ARES International Training Scholarships?
The ARES International Training Scholarships are designed to support professionals from eligible partner countries who want to strengthen their skills through specialised academic or professional training in Belgium.
The program combines postgraduate-style study and career-focused training rather than offering a general scholarship for any degree in Belgium.
For 2027–2028, ARES lists:
- One specialised bachelor’s degree
- Eight specialised master’s programs
- One continuing training course
Applicants may apply for only one program.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy several important conditions.
Residency and Employment
Candidates must be both:
- Permanent residents of an eligible country; and
- Working in one of the 32 eligible countries.
There is an exception for Palestinian nationals, who are eligible even if they do not currently reside in one of the 32 partner countries.
Graduate Degree
Applicants must hold a graduate degree and satisfy the admission requirements of the selected program.
The relevant academic degree must normally have been obtained no more than 20 years before the start of the training program.
ARES allows an extension of this maximum period by one year for each childbirth and/or adoption.
Professional Experience
Candidates must demonstrate at least:
Two years of relevant professional experience
This experience must have been acquired in one of the 32 eligible countries between completion of the applicant’s most recent graduate degree and the scholarship application deadline.
Language Requirement
Applicants must complete the application in the language in which the selected program is taught.
They must also demonstrate a good command of that language in both written and spoken form.
ARES additionally notes that basic knowledge of French can make everyday integration in Belgium easier.
One Program Only
Each applicant may apply for only one training program.
Submitting applications for multiple programs would therefore not comply with the stated rules.
Eligible Countries
ARES lists 32 partner countries across Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Asia.
Africa
Eligible African countries are:
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Ethiopia
- Guinea
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Niger
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zimbabwe
South America and the Caribbean
Eligible countries are:
- Bolivia
- Cuba
- Ecuador
- Haiti
- Peru
Southeast Asia
Eligible countries are:
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Nepal
- Philippines
- Vietnam
Asia
- Palestine
Applicants should confirm their residency and work status before beginning the application.
How Long Are the Programs?
Program duration depends on the type of training selected.
Specialised Bachelor’s and Master’s
These programs last a maximum of:
12 months
Continuing Training
Continuing training courses last a maximum of:
6 months
The scholarship therefore supports relatively intensive academic and professional programs rather than long multi-year degrees.
What Does the ARES Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship includes several forms of financial support.
International Travel
International travel expenses are included.
The source does not provide a universal airfare amount, so applicants should follow the detailed call documentation for travel arrangements.
Subsistence Allowance
A subsistence allowance is included to support living costs during the training period.
The supplied page does not state the exact allowance amount.
Visa-related Exceptional Costs
Exceptional costs related to visa applications are included for:
- Specialised bachelor’s programs
- Specialised master’s programs
The source does not state that these visa-related costs apply to continuing training.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are included for:
- Specialised bachelor’s degrees
- Specialised master’s programs
Continuing Education Support
For continuing training, the scholarship includes indirect mission expenses.
The supplied source does not provide the exact amount or breakdown of these expenses.
Insurance
Insurance costs are covered.
Is the ARES Scholarship Fully Funded?
The scholarship provides substantial financial support, including international travel, subsistence, insurance and, for bachelor’s and specialised master’s participants, tuition and certain visa-related expenses.
However, the source does not state that every possible expense is covered without limit.
It is therefore more accurate to describe it according to the benefits officially listed rather than assuming universal full coverage of every personal cost.
Important Application Dates
Applicants should pay close attention to two different deadlines.
August 3, 2026
The 2027–2028 call opened.
September 4, 2026
Deadline for requesting the creation and validation of a new GIRAF account:
September 4, 2026 at 12 noon Belgian time (UTC+1)
Applicants who do not already have an account should not wait until the main September 18 deadline.
September 18, 2026
Final deadline for submitting the completed application through GIRAF:
September 18, 2026 at 12 noon Belgian time (UTC+1)
Applicants should complete the process earlier to avoid last-minute platform or document issues.
ARES Scholarship Application Process
The application is submitted through the GIRAF platform.
Step 1: Create or Access a GIRAF Account
Applicants first need a valid GIRAF account.
New applicants must request and complete account validation by September 4, 2026 at noon Belgian time.
Step 2: Open the Application Form
After logging into GIRAF:
Go to:
Competitive Calls
Then select:
Application – International Training 2027–2028
ARES instructs applicants to click this button only once.
Step 3: Complete the Form
Fill in all required information.
Certain mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk.
These fields must be completed before the application can be saved for the first time.
Step 4: Save as Draft
Applicants do not have to finish the entire application in one session.
The form can be saved using:
Save as Draft
This allows applicants to return later and continue working.
Step 5: Find a Saved Application
To reopen an application:
Go to:
Competitive Calls → My Tasks
Select the relevant form and click:
Open
Applicants can continue making changes as long as the application remains in draft status.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Once everything is complete, click:
Submit my application
After submission, the application will appear under:
Competitive Calls → My Submitted Applications
Important: Submitted Applications Cannot Be Changed
ARES explicitly warns applicants that once an application is submitted:
It can no longer be modified.
Candidates should therefore review every section carefully before final submission.
Check names, employment information, academic details, chosen program, dates and supporting information before clicking the submit button.
What Documents Are Required?
The webpage supplied does not reproduce the complete document checklist.
ARES instead provides an Applicant’s Guide and a detailed reference document for the 2027–2028 call.
Applicants should use these official documents for the final requirements rather than relying on generic scholarship checklists.
How Competitive Is the ARES Scholarship?
The supplied source does not provide:
- Number of scholarships available
- Number of expected applications
- Acceptance rate
- Country quotas
- Program-specific quotas
An accurate success rate therefore cannot be calculated from this information.
Applicants can improve their chances by ensuring that their professional experience is clearly relevant to the selected training and that their application explains how the program connects with their work and future impact.
Why Professional Experience Matters
ARES requires at least two years of relevant work experience, which shows that the scholarship is intended for professionals who can connect the training to practical needs in their home countries.
Applicants should therefore avoid presenting themselves only as students seeking another qualification.
A strong application should make clear:
Previous degree → professional experience → current challenge → chosen ARES program → expected professional impact
This can help demonstrate why the selected training is relevant to the applicant’s career and country context.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
One major mistake would be missing the September 4 GIRAF account deadline and assuming the September 18 final application deadline is the only date that matters.
Another is applying for more than one program when ARES permits only one.
Applicants should also avoid submitting the application too early without reviewing it carefully because submitted applications cannot be edited.
Candidates should make sure that their work experience meets the requirement of at least two relevant years and that the experience was gained in one of the eligible countries.
Another mistake would be completing the application in a language different from the language of instruction for the chosen program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 open?
Yes. The call opened on August 3, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The final deadline is September 18, 2026 at 12 noon Belgian time (UTC+1).
Is there an earlier deadline?
Yes. Applicants needing a new GIRAF account must request its creation and validation by September 4, 2026 at 12 noon Belgian time.
How many programs can I apply for?
Applicants may apply for only one program.
How many countries are eligible?
ARES lists 32 eligible partner countries.
Is Zimbabwe eligible?
Yes. Zimbabwe is included among the eligible African countries.
Is Kenya eligible?
Yes.
Is South Africa eligible?
Yes.
Can Palestinian applicants apply?
Yes. Palestinian nationals are eligible, including an exception allowing them to apply even if they are not residing in one of the 32 listed countries.
Is professional experience required?
Yes. Applicants need at least two years of relevant professional experience.
What degree do I need?
Applicants need a graduate degree that meets the admission requirements for their selected program.
How old can my degree be?
The relevant degree should normally have been earned no more than 20 years before the start of the program, with one extra year allowed for each childbirth and/or adoption.
Does the scholarship pay tuition?
Tuition fees are included for specialised bachelor’s and specialised master’s programs.
Does the scholarship cover travel?
Yes. International travel expenses are included.
Is there a living allowance?
Yes. The scholarship includes a subsistence allowance.
Does it cover visa expenses?
Exceptional visa application costs are included for specialised bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Does it include insurance?
Yes. Insurance costs are included.
How long are the master’s programs?
Specialised master’s programs have a maximum duration of 12 months.
Can I edit my application after submitting?
No. Once submitted, the application can no longer be modified.
Important Note About the Official Page
The supplied ARES page is clearly titled International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 and provides 2027–2028 application dates and GIRAF instructions.
One sentence on the page refers to the “2025–2026 scholarship call” as open, which appears inconsistent with the surrounding 2027–2028 information. Applicants should rely on the specific 2027–2028 dates and official reference document when completing their application.
Final Thoughts
The Belgium ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 provide a significant funding opportunity for professionals from 32 eligible countries who want to pursue specialised academic or professional training in Belgium.
The scholarship supports one specialised bachelor’s degree, eight specialised master’s programs and one continuing training course, with training lasting from six to twelve months depending on the program.
Financial support includes international travel, a subsistence allowance and insurance, while specialised bachelor’s and master’s scholarship recipients can also receive tuition coverage and support for certain visa-related costs.
The most important dates are September 4, 2026 for applicants requiring a new GIRAF account and September 18, 2026 at 12 noon Belgian time for final submission.
Applicants should choose only one program, ensure they have at least two years of relevant professional experience and carefully review their application before submission because it cannot be changed once submitted.
SEO Keywords
ARES Scholarships 2027, Belgium scholarships 2027, ARES International Training Scholarships, ARES scholarships 2027–2028, Belgium scholarships for international students, Belgium Masters scholarships 2027, specialised Masters scholarships Belgium, ARES scholarship application, ARES scholarship deadline 2026, GIRAF application ARES, Belgium training scholarships, international training scholarships Belgium, scholarships for African professionals 2027, Zimbabwe scholarships Belgium, Kenya scholarships Belgium, South Africa scholarships Belgium, Uganda scholarships Belgium, Rwanda scholarships Belgium, DR Congo scholarships Belgium, ARES eligible countries, Belgium scholarship September 2026, funded training Belgium, postgraduate scholarships Belgium, international travel scholarship Belgium, ARES professional training scholarship, scholarships for developing countries Belgium, Belgium higher education scholarships, ARES application process 2027, ARES GIRAF account, Belgium international scholarships 2027
