The ARES Scholarships program is designed to provide opportunities for international students from developing nations who aspire to pursue master’s degree studies in Belgium.
This initiative is facilitated by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES), a public interest organization that operates with financial backing from the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles. Established through the "Landscape" decree on November 7, 2013, ARES encompasses 127 higher education institutions in Belgium, ensuring effective coordination of their activities while fostering inter-institutional collaborations.
Additionally, students may also consider the University of Minnesota Fellowship Program, another valuable academic opportunity.
Overview of ARES Scholarships
The ARES Scholarships enable recipients to enroll in either a one-year specialized master’s degree program or an advanced training course lasting between four to six months at a higher education institution affiliated with the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium.
Scholarship Details
Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / Training
Institutions: ARES-affiliated universities and institutions
Location: Belgium
Program Duration:
Undergraduate Degree: 4 years
Master’s Degree: 1 year
Internship/Training Program: 4 to 6 months
Application Deadline: The next application cycle is scheduled to open in August 2025
Available Programs
Bachelor’s Degree Scholarships:
Specialized Bachelor in Business Data Analysis
Specialized Bachelor in Pediatrics and Neonatology
Master’s Degree Scholarships:
Master’s Degree in Development, Environment, and Societies
Specialized Master in Human Rights
Specialized Master in Aquatic Resources Management and Aquaculture
Specialized Master in Risk and Disaster Management
Specialized Master in Integrated Risk Management in the Global South (IManHR)
Specialized Master in International and Development Economics
Specialized Master in Transfusion Medicine
Specialized Master in Microfinance
Specialized Master in Integrated Production and Preservation of Natural Resources in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas
Specialized Master in Public Health Methodology
Master of Specialization in Public Health Sciences – Research Methods Applied to Global Health
Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Management in Developing Countries
Specialized Master in Transport and Logistics
Training Courses:
Internship in Control and Quality Assurance of Medicines and Health Products
Research Internship for Strengthening Health Systems
Internship in Geographical Information Systems
Internship in the Valorization of Secondary Resources for Sustainable Construction
Methodological Internship in Support of Innovation in Family Farming
Other prestigious scholarship programs, such as the Melbourne Research Scholarship, may also be of interest to applicants.
Scholarship Benefits
ARES Scholarships provide comprehensive financial assistance, which includes:
For Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs:
Travel Costs: One round-trip economy-class ticket per academic year on an IATA-approved airline.
Living Allowance: A monthly stipend of €1150 for a duration of 12 months.
Indirect Mission Fees: A one-time payment of €150 upon arrival.
Arrival Allowance, Tuition, and Return Fees: A one-time payment of €700 upon arrival.
Tuition Fees: Registration fees at the prevailing rate for DGD grantees.
Insurance Coverage: Paid directly by ARES.
Inter-University Travel Expenses: Reimbursement based on actual costs incurred (receipts required).
For Training Courses:
Travel Costs: One round-trip economy-class ticket on an IATA-approved airline.
Living Allowance:
€83 per day for stays of 8 to 17 days
€1400 per month for stays of 18 days to 1 month
€1400 per month for stays of 1 to 6 months, calculated proportionally to the number of days
Indirect Mission Fees: A one-time payment of €150 upon arrival.
Insurance Coverage: Paid directly by ARES.
Inter-University Travel Expenses: Reimbursement based on real costs incurred (with receipts).
For those interested in further international study opportunities, the Chevening Scholarship program is another option to consider.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the ARES Scholarships, candidates must meet the following criteria:
General Requirements:
Language Proficiency: Proficiency in English and/or French is required.
Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of one of the following countries: Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cuba, Ecuador, Ethiopia (only for English-language training courses), Haiti, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Peru, the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, and Vietnam.
Residency: Applicants must be living and working in their country of origin at the time of application.
Age Limit:
Applicants for degree programs must be under 40 years old.
Applicants for training courses must be under 45 years old.
Educational Qualifications: Applicants must possess a diploma equivalent to a graduate-level degree from a Belgian university. However, some training courses may have additional requirements.
Professional Experience: A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in a developing country after completing graduate studies is required. If an applicant has obtained a postgraduate degree from a university in an industrialized country, they must have at least three years of work experience.
Language Skills: A good command of written and spoken French is required. For courses taught in another language, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in that language. Additionally, applicants must commit to learning French to integrate into daily life in Belgium.
Application Restrictions: Candidates can only apply for one training course.
Application Process for ARES Scholarships
To successfully apply for ARES Master’s and Internship Scholarships, applicants must follow these steps:
Create a GIRAF Account:
Ensure that you have an active GIRAF account before applying.
If you don’t have an account, create one using the official GIRAF platform link.
ARES will validate your account within a few hours to a few days. Do not create multiple accounts.
Once validated, you will receive a confirmation email to set up your password.
If you already have a validated GIRAF account from the previous year, you can reuse it or reset your password if necessary.
Access the Application Form:
Log into your GIRAF account.
Navigate to the Competitive Calls tab and locate the application form titled “International Training Application 2025-2026”.
Click on the form only once to access it.
Your application form will be stored in the “My Tasks” section under the Competitive Calls tab.
Complete the Application Form:
You can save your progress and edit the form multiple times using the “Save and Edit Later” option.
Each time you log in, you will find your form in the “My Tasks” section.
Submit the Application:
Once you are satisfied with your application, click “Submit my application”.
After submission, the application cannot be modified.
You can still view your submitted form under the “My Submitted Files” section.
By following these steps, applicants can ensure they successfully complete their application for the ARES Scholarships and seize this incredible opportunity to study in Belgium.