For many students, studying in Belgium may seem out of reach because of the cost of tuition and living expenses. The ARES Scholarships in Belgium offer an opportunity for international students to pursue their studies while receiving financial support.
Furthermore, it is a great option for students looking to gain a quality education, experience a new environment, and further their academic and career goals without having to carry the full financial burden themselves.
ARES Scholarships
The ARES Scholarships are a great opportunity for international students who want to study in Belgium without having to handle all the financial costs on their own. Going further, the programme supports students from eligible countries and gives them the chance to gain valuable knowledge and experience through higher education in Belgium.
Besides financial support, studying through ARES can also be a good way to meet people from different backgrounds and build skills that can be useful in the future.
ARES Scholarships in Belgium Benefits
The Belgian ARES Scholarships offer financial assistance to qualified candidates so they can concentrate on their education without having to pay for all of the key expenses. Well, the scholarship may consist of the following, depending on the program:
- Expenses for international travel, including a ticket back in economy class.
- Living allowance per month to assist with daily costs while studying.
- The cost of tuition and registration for specialized master’s and bachelor’s degrees.
- Financial assistance for visa-related costs.
- Health coverage while the scholarship is in effect.
- Extra assistance with travel, if needed.
ARES Scholarships Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the ARES Scholarships in Belgium, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. According to ARES, applicants generally need to:
- Be a national, resident, and working in one of the 31 eligible partner countries.
- Hold the required academic qualification for the programme they are applying for.
- Have relevant professional experience in an eligible partner country.
- Apply for an eligible specialized master’s, specialized bachelor’s, or continuing education programme.
- Complete the application in the language required by the chosen programme and demonstrate the necessary language ability.
However, you should know that the exact requirements can vary depending on the specific programme, so applicants should check the criteria for their chosen course before applying.
Key Eligible Fields of Study
The ARES Scholarships Programs focus strictly on global development topics. Common disciplines include:
- Public Health & Disease Control
- Water Management, Agriculture & Environment
- Human Rights & Governance
- Microfinance & Risk Management
- Food Technology & Aquaculture
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) & Data
How to Apply for ARES Scholarships in Belgium
For the scholarship application process, kindly follow the steps below:
- Verify that you are under the age limit, which is often 40 for degrees and 45 for short courses, have at least two years of post-graduation job experience, and are a citizen or resident of a qualifying nation.
- From the current course list, select a particular program that aligns with your professional objectives and existing employment.
- Gather and create certified true copies of your degrees from universities, official transcripts, resumes, passports, two letters of recommendation, and evidence of employment for the previous two years.
- To activate your account, register on the GIRAF portal and wait for the email confirmation.
- Open the application form for overseas training after logging into your dashboard and navigating to the active calls section.
- After entering your personal details, employment history, and educational background, compose your responses outlining your motivation and goals.
- Add all of your certified, scanned documents to the appropriate places.
- Before the deadline, go over everything again to make sure there are no mistakes or missing attachments, then click submit.
- Regularly check the submitted files section of your GIRAF account to see if your application has been updated.
Host Country:
The host country for ARES Scholarships is Belgium.
Application Deadline:
For 2026–2027, applications closed on 19 September 2025 at 12:00 noon (Belgian time, UTC+1).
For the 2027–2028 ARES International Training Scholarships, the official ARES page lists the application deadline as 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon (Belgian time, UTC+1).
Official Scholarship Website
For more information on this scholarship program, visit the ARES Scholarships official page.
Official Scholarship Website Page
FAQs
Are ARES scholarships 2026 in Belgium fully funded?
Yes, the ARES Scholarships in Belgium for 2026–2027 are typically regarded as fully financed because ARES offers financial assistance for significant living and study-related expenses.
Can I study in Belgium without IELTS?
If you meet certain alternative conditions or are eligible for an exemption, you can study in Belgium without an IELTS score.
Are there any scholarships available for international students in Belgium in 2026?
Yes, there are numerous completely and partially financed scholarships available in Belgium for foreign students.
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