The Agency for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid is known by its acronym, ARES. International students can apply for scholarships from this government-run organization in Belgium to study specialized bachelor’s, master’s, and training programs at Belgian universities. The complete cost of the program is covered by the fully funded ARES Belgium Scholarships. Students enrolled in a Wallonia-Brussels Federation higher education institution are also eligible for the Mobility Grants.

Details About ARES Scholarships 2025-2026 in Belgium

• Host Country: Belgium
• Funded by: Agency for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (ARES)
• Benefits: Fully Funded
• Degree Level: Specialized Bachelors and Masters, and Short Training Courses
• Deadline: 18th October 2024

Overview of the ARES Scholarships in Belgium

Do you already have a Higher education degree? And you want to gain professional experience to further sharpen your skills in a development-related topic.

The ARES scholarships provide opportunities to pursue a one-year advanced bachelor’s or master’s degree, or two to six-month continuing training courses at a higher education institution in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Belgium.

Financial Benefits

The funding includes:

• Round-trip international travel
• Living allowance
• Visa application fees (for bachelor’s and specialized master’s degrees)
• Tuition fees (for bachelor’s and specialized master’s degrees)
• Miscellaneous program-related costs (for continuing education)
• Comprehensive insurance coverage

Duration

• Maximum 12 months for the Bachelor’s and specialized master’s degrees.
• Training: 2 to 6 months maximum.

Area of Specialized Bachelor

1. Bachelor’s degree in Business Data Analysis

Area of Specialized Master 

1. Master’s degree in human rights
2. Master of Specialization in Risk and Disaster Management in the Anthropocene Era
3. Master’s degree in integrated health risk management
4. Specialized Master in International and Development Economics
5. European Microfinance Program
6. Specialized Master in Public Health Methodology
7. Master of Specialization in Public Health Sciences – Analysis and Evaluation of International Health Policies, Programs, and Systems
8. Master’s degree in transport and logistics
9. Specialized Master’s Degree – Social Innovation Design
10. Master of specialization in Water-Energy-Food Nexus

Area of Short Training Courses

The purpose is to get more practical skills in a discipline contributing to sustainable development.

1. University Certificate in Data Science for Global Health
2. International training in digital university pedagogy
3. Interuniversity and interdisciplinary certificate in transitional justice
4. Continuing education – Understanding and managing the human dimensions of sustainable development change projects
5. Continuing training in quality assurance and quality control of medicines and health products
6. Continuing education in free geographic information systems

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a citizen, resident, and employee of one of the 31 ARES partner-eligible countries.
• Hold a degree equivalent to a Belgian master’s degree (300 ECTS credits) for specialized master’s and continuing education programs, or a Belgian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS credits) for specialization baccalaureates.
• Possess at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country.

Eligible Countries

• Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, DR Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
• South America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru.
• Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam.
• Asia: Palestinian territory.

List of Required Documents

List of documents required for an application to be accepted:

• 2 recommendation letters (academic and/or professional)
• Certified copies of original diplomas
• Certified copies of original transcripts for all years
• Proof of occupancy for the last 5 years
• Certificate of nationality or copy of passport
• Pre-project (for certain courses – see course-specific admission conditions)

How to Apply for the ARES Scholarships in Belgium?

Applying for an ARES scholarship is free. Applications can made Online through the GIRAF platform. Follow these steps to apply:

• Create a GIRAF account: If you don’t have one already, create a Giraf account and have it validated by ARES.
• Access the application form: Log in to your Giraf account and go to “Application for international training” > “My tasks” > “Competitive calls” to find the application form.
• Complete the application: Fill out the application form. You can save and return it multiple times before submitting it.
• Submit your application: Once your application is complete, click “Submit my application.” After submission, you can view your application in “My submitted files,” but you cannot make any changes.