Finding a scholarship that does more than simply reduce tuition costs can feel like searching for a hidden door in an already crowded scholarship market. Every year, thousands of international students and young professionals search for International Scholarships that can provide academic training, professional development, and a realistic pathway to studying abroad without carrying the full financial burden themselves.

The ARES Scholarship is one of the opportunities that deserves serious attention, particularly for professionals from eligible ARES partner countries who want to study or receive specialised training in Belgium.

Unlike scholarships designed exclusively for conventional undergraduate or postgraduate study, the ARES International Training programme has a strong professional-development and development-cooperation focus. It supports specialised bachelor’s and master’s-level programmes as well as shorter continuing-education programmes at higher education institutions within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium. The official Study in Belgium information describes the degree programmes as generally lasting one academic year, while continuing education programmes run from two to six months.

For applicants, however, understanding the opportunity requires more than knowing that it is “fully funded.” You need to understand who qualifies, which countries are eligible, what academic background is expected, what professional experience is required, what expenses can be covered, how the application process works and—perhaps most importantly—when applications actually open.

That last point matters in 2026.

The ARES International Training Scholarships 2026/2027 application cycle has already closed. The reported deadline for that cycle was September 19, 2025, while the current ARES online form for the 2027/2028 International Training Scholarships is also marked closed. Therefore, anyone reading this article now should treat it as both a comprehensive guide to the ARES Scholarship and a preparation resource for a future application cycle rather than assuming that applications are currently open.

This guide explains the opportunity from the ground up and shows how prospective applicants can prepare a stronger application before the next relevant call is announced.

ARES Scholarship: What Is It and Why Does It Matter?

The ARES Scholarship is an international training scholarship programme associated with the Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES), the federation of higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium.

The programme is closely connected to Belgium’s development-cooperation objectives. Instead of simply funding international students to study abroad, the International Training Scholarships are designed to strengthen professional and institutional capacity in partner countries.

That distinction is important.

An applicant should not approach ARES as if it were simply another general-purpose European scholarship. The programme is aimed at candidates whose education and professional development can contribute to broader development needs when they return to their professional environments.

According to the official Wallonie-Bruxelles Campus description, ARES International Training Scholarships provide opportunities for a one-year advanced bachelor’s or master’s programme or a two-to-six-month continuing-education programme at a higher education institution within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

The programme therefore combines three attractive elements:

• Advanced academic training
• Professional development
• International exposure in Belgium

This combination is one reason the scholarship continues to attract attention among professionals seeking Belgium Scholarships and other international study opportunities.

It is also why simply having good grades is not necessarily enough to make an application compelling. The candidate’s academic history, professional experience, chosen programme and development-related goals need to make sense together.

ARES Scholarship and the 2026/2027 application cycle

The 2026/2027 call generated considerable interest among prospective applicants from eligible partner countries. The call opened in August 2025 and closed on September 19, 2025, according to published information about that cycle. (Opportunities for Everyone)

As of August 2026, that application window is over.

This is an important distinction for scholarship readers because many websites continue to display old application announcements as though they were active opportunities. A responsible applicant should always verify the status of a scholarship through the official ARES channel before submitting documents or making travel plans.

The official ARES application system currently displays the 2027/2028 International Training Scholarships form as closed. (Ares Forms)

For the latest official information, applicants should monitor the ARES Scholarship official website.

ARES Scholarship: 8 Powerful Benefits You Should Know

One of the biggest mistakes scholarship seekers make is focusing only on the phrase “fully funded.”

Funding is important, of course, but the real value of an international scholarship can extend far beyond tuition and travel.

The ARES Scholarship can offer a combination of academic training, financial assistance, international exposure and professional development. However, the exact benefits can depend on the type of training selected.

Here are eight major benefits worth understanding.

1. ARES Scholarship Can Provide Financial Support for International Study

The most obvious attraction is financial support.

International education can be expensive. Tuition is only one part of the equation. A student moving from Africa, Asia or another eligible region to Belgium may also need to consider:

• International flights
• Accommodation
• Food
• Local transportation
• Insurance
• Visa-related expenses
• Academic costs
• Personal expenses

The ARES International Training programme is structured to help reduce this financial burden.

Published ARES programme information has listed support such as international travel expenses, subsistence allowances and insurance, with tuition fees and certain visa-related exceptional expenses included for specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes. Continuing-education arrangements can differ.

This is why applicants should never assume that every programme has exactly the same funding package.

Before applying, carefully check the financial conditions attached to the specific programme.

What does “fully funded” really mean?

In scholarship advertising, “fully funded” can mean different things.

For ARES, it is more useful to think of the scholarship as a comprehensive support package rather than assuming that every conceivable personal expense will be paid.

For example, a scholarship may cover approved travel and living support while still leaving an applicant responsible for personal spending outside the scholarship’s defined terms.

The safest approach is simple:

Read the current call and programme-specific conditions rather than relying on a social-media post or an old scholarship article.

2. ARES Scholarship Opens the Door to Study in Belgium

Belgium is an attractive destination for international education because it combines established higher-education institutions with a highly international environment.

For ARES applicants, the relevant programmes are hosted within the higher education system of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

The official Study in Belgium platform explains that ARES International Training Scholarships cover advanced bachelor’s and master’s programmes as well as continuing education. The advanced degree programmes are organised over an academic year, while continuing education is shorter and more practical, lasting between two and six months.

That structure creates different possibilities for different applicants.

Someone seeking a formal advanced qualification may prefer the one-year specialised programme.

A working professional who cannot leave their professional responsibilities for an entire academic year may find a shorter continuing-education programme more suitable.

The important point is that the ARES opportunity is not a single course. It is a collection of specialised training opportunities.

3. ARES Scholarships Can Strengthen Professional Skills

The third major advantage is professional development.

The ARES International Training programme is particularly relevant to professionals who want to acquire specialised knowledge that can be applied after returning to their home country.

This makes the scholarship different from an opportunity that is primarily about obtaining a qualification.

A strong applicant should therefore be able to answer a simple question:

What will I do with this knowledge after completing the programme?

Imagine a public-health professional who wants to improve disease-prevention systems in their home country.

Or consider an economist working in development finance who wants advanced training in international and development economics.

Or a professional working in social innovation who wants to acquire methods that can later be used in local development projects.

In each case, the scholarship becomes more than a personal educational opportunity. It becomes part of a larger professional story.

That story matters.

4. ARES Scholarship Offers International Academic Exposure

Studying abroad can expose students to different academic systems, professional networks and perspectives.

For many applicants, this international exposure may become one of the most valuable long-term benefits.

You may interact with:

• International lecturers
• Researchers
• Professionals from other countries
• Belgian institutions
• Fellow scholarship recipients
• Organisations working on international development

These connections can influence future research, employment, partnerships and professional projects.

However, applicants should not approach networking as a goal by itself.

The strongest benefit comes when international exposure is connected to a meaningful professional purpose.

For example, a candidate studying development economics might build relationships with researchers working on development policy.

A public-health professional might discover new research methodologies.

A social-development practitioner might learn how another country approaches community innovation.

That kind of exposure can remain valuable long after the scholarship ends.

5. ARES Scholarship Supports Short-Term Professional Training Too

Not everyone needs or wants to pursue a full academic year abroad.

This is where the continuing-education component becomes particularly interesting.

The official programme description states that ARES continuing-education programmes can last between two and six months and are more practical in nature, leading to a certificate rather than the academic degree associated with the advanced bachelor’s or master’s route. (Study in Belgium)

This can be especially attractive to experienced professionals.

A two-to-six-month programme may allow someone to acquire specialised knowledge without committing to a longer degree programme.

For professionals, the shorter format can also make it easier to connect the training directly to an existing career.

Instead of asking, “How will this degree change my life?”

the question becomes:

“What specific professional problem can this training help me solve?”

That is often a much stronger way to evaluate whether an ARES programme is appropriate for you.

6. ARES Scholarships Can Strengthen Your International Profile

An international academic experience can become a valuable addition to a professional CV.

But simply writing “studied in Belgium” is not what makes an application or CV impressive.

What matters is what you accomplished.

A strong scholarship experience might allow you to:

• Complete specialised professional training
• Develop a research project
• Build expertise in a priority field
• Work with international colleagues
• Gain exposure to new methodologies
• Develop a professional network
• Return home with knowledge applicable to local challenges

When these achievements are connected to a clear professional trajectory, the scholarship can become a meaningful part of your long-term career narrative.

7. ARES Scholarship Can Help Applicants Build Development-Focused Expertise

The ARES programme has a development-cooperation dimension.

This means applicants should think beyond personal advancement.

Ask yourself:

• What problem exists in my country or sector?
• Why does additional training matter?
• Why is Belgium the right environment for this training?
• How will I use the knowledge after the programme?
• Who could benefit from my improved expertise?
• What practical outcome could result from the training?

These questions can help you create a more coherent application.

The goal is not to exaggerate your ambitions.

Instead, demonstrate a realistic connection between:

your education → your professional experience → your selected programme → your future contribution.

That chain can make your application much more convincing.

8. ARES Scholarship Can Become a Long-Term Career Investment

The final benefit is perhaps the most important.

A scholarship should not be viewed simply as free education.

It can be an investment in professional capability.

Suppose a professional spends several months acquiring expertise in a specialised field. The real value may appear years later when that person applies the knowledge to:

• A new job
• A research project
• A government programme
• A development organisation
• A university
• A private-sector initiative
• A community project
• A national policy challenge

That is the deeper purpose behind many development-oriented international scholarships.

The scholarship can change what you are capable of doing.

And that can be more valuable than the scholarship money itself.

ARES Scholarship Eligibility Requirements for International Students

Understanding the ARES Scholarship eligibility requirements for international students is critical because the programme is not open to applicants from every country.

The eligibility rules are designed around ARES partner countries and the professional-development objectives of the programme.

For the 2026/2027 call, published programme information identified 31 eligible partner countries, with a special provision for Palestinian national

Applicants should always verify the country list for the specific call because scholarship rules can change between application cycles.

The 31 partner countries associated with the 2026/2027 call

The published 2026/2027 information listed:

Africa

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Ethiopia
• Guinea
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Niger
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tunisia
• Uganda
• Zimbabwe

South America and the Caribbean

• Bolivia
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• Haiti
• Peru

Southeast Asia

• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Nepal
• Philippines
• Vietnam

Asia

• Palestinian territory

The precise eligibility conditions attached to residence and nationality matter. For the 2026/2027 call, candidates generally needed to be permanent residents and working in an eligible country, while Palestinian nationals were treated as an exception to the residence rule.

This immediately creates an important lesson for applicants:

Do not assume that being an international student automatically makes you eligible.

Country eligibility comes first.

ARES Scholarship Academic Requirements

Academic qualifications are another major part of the selection process.

The required academic level depends on the type of training.

For the specialised bachelor’s route, applicants need a qualification comparable to a first-cycle Belgian higher-education diploma.

For specialised master’s and continuing-education programmes, published eligibility information specifies a qualification comparable to a second-cycle Belgian higher-education diploma.

In simplified terms:

Applicants should not treat the ECTS figures as a simple conversion formula for every foreign degree.

Degree equivalence can depend on the institution, programme and admission rules.

That is why you should carefully read the admission conditions for the particular programme you intend to choose.

ARES Scholarship Professional Experience Requirement

One of the characteristics that makes the ARES programme especially interesting is its emphasis on professional experience.

Published ARES programme information requires at least two years of relevant professional experience for the applicable specialised bachelor’s, master’s and continuing-education routes.

This means the scholarship is not simply designed for someone who has recently graduated and immediately wants to leave for Europe.

It is strongly oriented toward professionals who already have practical experience.

Why does professional experience matter?

Think about it this way.

A scholarship committee can give someone advanced knowledge.

But the real development impact comes from what that person can do with the knowledge.

Someone who has already worked in a particular sector may be better positioned to:

• Understand existing problems
• Identify gaps in current practice
• Apply new methods
• Share knowledge with colleagues
• Improve institutional processes
• Lead future projects

This is why applicants should not hide their professional experience deep inside a CV.

Your work experience should connect naturally with the programme you are applying for.

ARES Scholarship: Choosing the Right Programme

Choosing the right programme may be more important than simply finding the programme with the most impressive title.

Your selection should make sense in the context of your education and career.

For example:

Academic background: Public Health

Professional experience: Community health programme management

Possible direction: Advanced public-health training

That makes sense.

But imagine:

Academic background: Accounting

Professional experience: Financial management

Chosen programme: A completely unrelated field with no connection to your career

The application may become harder to explain.

The best programme is not necessarily the one that sounds most prestigious.

It is the one that creates the strongest connection between your past experience and your future plans.

ARES Scholarships: What Fields Can Applicants Study?

The available programmes vary by application cycle.

The 2026/2027 call included specialised programmes in areas connected to development, health, economics, human rights, disaster management, social innovation and other professional fields. Published examples included programmes such as International and Development Economics, Microfinance, Public Health Methodology, Human Rights and Risk & Disaster Management.

This illustrates an important point:

ARES is not simply offering a generic “study in Belgium” scholarship.

The programme is structured around specific training opportunities.

Therefore, applicants should begin by identifying the available programmes and then determine which one aligns with their professional goals.

How to Apply for ARES International Training Scholarship in Belgium

If you are researching how to apply for ARES International Training Scholarship in Belgium, the first thing to understand is that the process is online.

Published information for the 2026/2027 cycle stated that applications were submitted through the GIRAF platform. (2026/2027 Mabumbe)

The application process can be viewed as a series of stages.

Step 1: Check the Latest ARES Call

Never begin by downloading an old application form from a third-party website.

First, confirm:

• The application cycle
• Opening date
• Closing date
• Eligible countries
• Available programmes
• Academic requirements
• Professional-experience requirements
• Funding conditions
• Required documents

Scholarship requirements can change.

An old article can remain online for years after the deadline has passed.

For the official application information, use the ARES International Training Scholarships page.

Step 2: Confirm Your Country Eligibility

Before spending hours preparing documents, check your country.

This is one of the easiest ways to avoid wasting time.

If your country is not on the relevant call’s eligible list, you generally cannot proceed simply because you meet the academic requirements.

For applicants from eligible countries, this step should be completed before anything else.

Step 3: Select an Appropriate Training Programme

Once you establish that you are eligible by country, examine the programmes available for your cycle.

Do not select a programme solely because:

• The title sounds impressive
• It is in Belgium
• Someone on social media recommended it
• You assume it has better employment prospects
• You think it will be easier to obtain

Instead, ask whether it fits your professional profile.

A good programme should ideally connect:

Education + experience + current professional challenge + future objective.

Step 4: Check the Programme-Specific Requirements

This step is often overlooked.

Meeting the general ARES requirements does not necessarily mean you have automatically met every programme’s admission requirement.

A particular programme may have additional conditions.

For example, it may require:

• A specific academic background
• Relevant professional experience
• Language proficiency
• A particular professional profile
• A pre-project or motivation document
• Additional supporting documentation

Therefore, read the individual programme requirements carefully.

Step 5: Prepare Your Documents

The exact document list should always be taken from the current call and application platform.

Depending on the cycle and programme, applicants may need documents such as:

• Passport or proof of nationality
• Academic diplomas
• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of professional experience
• Proof of residence
• Motivation or professional-development information
• Programme-specific documents
• Additional supporting evidence where required

Do not upload documents simply because another scholarship website lists them.

The current official application instructions should be your final authority.

ARES Scholarship: How to Write a Strong Application

A scholarship application is not a contest to see who can use the biggest words.

It is a test of fit.

A strong application tells a coherent story.

Weak approach

“I want to study in Belgium because Belgium has good universities and this scholarship will help me achieve my dreams.”

There is nothing necessarily wrong with the sentence, but it is generic.

Thousands of applicants could write it.

Stronger approach

“I have spent several years working in a field where I have repeatedly encountered a specific professional challenge. The selected ARES programme provides specialised training directly related to that challenge, and I intend to apply the methods acquired during the programme to strengthen my work and contribute to capacity development in my home country.”

The second version is stronger because it answers three questions:

1. What have you done?
2. Why do you need this training?
3. What will you do with it?

That is the type of logic applicants should aim for.

ARES Scholarship Motivation: What Should You Explain?

If your application includes motivation questions or a statement, focus on evidence rather than empty ambition.

A useful structure is:

Your background

Briefly explain your academic and professional journey.

The problem

Identify a real professional or development challenge you have encountered.

The knowledge gap

Explain what you currently cannot do or what additional expertise you need.

The ARES programme

Explain why the selected training addresses that gap.

Your future application

Describe how you will use the knowledge after completing the programme.

Your broader impact

Explain how the training could benefit your organisation, sector, community or country.

This structure is much more persuasive than simply saying that you have always dreamed of studying abroad.

ARES Scholarships: Documents Applicants Should Prepare Early

One of the easiest ways to make scholarship preparation stressful is to wait until the application portal opens before collecting documents.

A better approach is to create a scholarship folder months in advance.

Your folder could contain:

• Passport
• Nationality certificate if required
• Academic certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Updated CV
• Employment letters
• Professional certificates
• Proof of residence
• Relevant training certificates
• Previous research or publications
• Professional achievements
• Programme-specific documents

Then create both digital and physical backups.

Why prepare early?

Because documents can take time.

A university may need to issue a transcript.

An employer may need to provide an employment letter.

A government office may take weeks to issue a certificate.

A professional organisation may need to verify your membership.

Waiting until the final week can create unnecessary risk.

ARES Scholarship: The Importance of Your CV

Your CV should make your professional journey easy to understand.

Avoid filling it with every activity you have ever participated in.

Instead, highlight experiences relevant to your chosen programme.

For example, if you are applying for a development-related programme, emphasise:

• Relevant employment
• Development projects
• Research
• Leadership
• Community initiatives
• Professional training
• Policy work
• Technical expertise
• Measurable achievements

Where possible, describe results.

Instead of:

“Worked on a health project.”

Consider:

“Supported implementation of a community health initiative serving rural households.”

Specific information makes your experience easier to understand.

ARES Scholarship: What Does the Funding Cover?

The financial package is one of the most searched aspects of the scholarship.

Published ARES information for the international-training programme has included:

• International travel expenses
• Subsistence allowance
• Insurance
• Tuition fees for applicable degree programmes
• Certain exceptional visa-related expenses for applicable degree programmes
• Other specified support depending on programme type

The exact package can vary according to whether the applicant is pursuing a specialised bachelor’s, specialised master’s or continuing-education programme.

This distinction is important.

Specialised degree programmes

For specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes, the published funding structure includes broader support such as tuition and certain visa-related costs in addition to travel, subsistence and insurance.

Continuing education

Continuing education has a different funding structure, reflecting its shorter duration and programme format.

Therefore, do not copy funding figures from an old scholarship post and assume they will remain unchanged.

Always check the current call.

ARES Scholarships vs Other Belgium Scholarships

It is tempting to compare every opportunity simply by asking, “Which scholarship gives the most money?”

That is the wrong question.

A better comparison considers:

• Eligibility
• Study level
• Programme duration
• Professional experience
• Country eligibility
• Academic requirements
• Career alignment
• Funding
• Development focus

This is why ARES can be particularly attractive to experienced professionals rather than applicants searching for a conventional undergraduate scholarship.

ARES Scholarship: Common Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Application

Even qualified applicants can make avoidable mistakes.

Here are some of the biggest.

Applying from an Ineligible Country

This is the first mistake to eliminate.

Check the country list before doing anything else.

Ignoring the Professional Experience Requirement

ARES is strongly connected to professional capacity development.

If the relevant programme requires professional experience, do not assume academic excellence can replace it.

Choosing a Programme Without Career Alignment

Your selected programme should make sense based on your background.

Submitting Incomplete Documents

An incomplete application can fail before the selection committee even gets to evaluate your potential.

Using an Old Application Guide

Scholarship rules change.

Always use the current call.

Waiting Until the Deadline

Technical problems, slow internet, missing documents and portal congestion can all become serious problems at the last minute.

Paying Someone to “Guarantee” the Scholarship

This is a major warning sign.

ARES published information for previous calls explicitly stated that applying is free and that ARES does not charge fees during the application or selection process.

If someone claims they can guarantee an ARES award in exchange for money, treat the claim with extreme caution.

ARES Scholarship: How to Avoid Scholarship Scams

Scholarship scams often become more aggressive when an opportunity is popular.

Be careful with messages claiming:

• “Congratulations, you have been selected”
• “Pay a processing fee”
• “Send your passport through WhatsApp”
• “Pay an agent to guarantee selection”
• “Transfer money before we submit your application”
• “We have an inside connection with ARES”

A legitimate scholarship application should be based on the official process.

For the 2026/2027 call, published guidance warned applicants to use the official online GIRAF process and not send sensitive application information such as passport copies and diplomas by email when someone requests them outside the official process.

The safest rule is:

Verify first. Pay nothing unless the official scholarship instructions explicitly require it.

ARES Scholarship Application Timeline: How to Prepare for the Next Call

Because the 2026/2027 call is already closed, prospective applicants should focus on preparation.

A useful preparation timeline looks like this:

Several months before applications open

• Check your country eligibility
• Research previous ARES programmes
• Review your academic qualifications
• Update your CV
• Collect transcripts
• Gather employment evidence
• Identify professional goals

When the new call is announced

• Read the entire call
• Check the eligible-country list
• Review available programmes
• Confirm academic requirements
• Confirm professional-experience requirements
• Check the application deadline

During the application period

• Create your account
• Select the appropriate programme
• Complete each section carefully
• Upload documents
• Review your answers
• Check for missing attachments
• Submit before the deadline

After submission

Keep confirmation information and monitor official communications.

Do not assume that silence means rejection or acceptance.

Wait for the official process to communicate the outcome.

ARES Scholarship: What Applicants from Africa Should Know

The ARES Scholarship is particularly relevant to many African professionals because a large proportion of the programme’s eligible partner countries are in Africa.

The 2026/2027 partner-country list included countries such as:

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Ethiopia
• Guinea
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Niger
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Rwanda
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tunisia
• Uganda
• Zimbabwe

However, being African does not automatically mean being eligible.

This is an important distinction.

For example, an applicant from a country outside the relevant ARES partner-country list cannot assume that the scholarship is open simply because other African countries are included.

Always check the exact list attached to the current call.

ARES Scholarship: Is It Really Fully Funded?

The short answer is that ARES provides substantial financial support, but applicants should use the phrase “fully funded” carefully.

The programme’s funding package can cover major expenses such as travel, living support and insurance, while tuition and certain visa-related costs apply to relevant specialised degree programmes. Continuing education has its own funding structure.

The important lesson is:

Fully funded does not necessarily mean every personal expense is covered.

You should always examine the financial conditions of your specific programme.

This protects you from budgeting based on assumptions.

ARES Scholarship: Can You Apply Without Work Experience?

For the relevant International Training Scholarship routes, published ARES requirements include at least two years of relevant professional experience.

That means applicants should not assume that a newly completed degree alone is sufficient.

If you have recently graduated but do not yet have the required professional experience, it may be more productive to build your professional profile and monitor future scholarship opportunities rather than submitting an application that does not meet the basic criteria.

This is not a disadvantage.

In fact, professional experience can make a future application stronger because you will have concrete examples of problems you have encountered and skills you want to develop.

ARES Scholarships: How to Make Your Application More Competitive

Meeting the minimum requirements is only the beginning.

A stronger application should demonstrate coherence.

Think of your application as a bridge.

One side is your past:

Education + Work Experience

The other side is your future:

Professional Goal + Development Impact

The ARES programme is the bridge between the two.

If the bridge is missing, your application can feel disconnected.

Build a clear professional narrative

Explain:

• Where you started
• What you have learned
• What challenge you now face
• What knowledge you need
• Why this programme provides that knowledge
• How you will use it afterward

Use evidence

Do not simply say:

“I am passionate about development.”

Explain what you have actually done.

Be specific

Instead of:

“I want to help my country.”

Explain:

“I intend to apply the training to strengthen X area within my professional organisation.”

Specificity creates credibility.

ARES Scholarship: What Happens After You Are Selected?

Selection is not the end of the journey.

Once selected, successful applicants may need to complete additional administrative steps related to:

• Admission
• Travel
• Visa procedures
• Accommodation
• Insurance
• Academic registration
• Arrival in Belgium

The exact procedures depend on the programme and current instructions.

Applicants should therefore keep copies of all scholarship correspondence and follow instructions from the relevant institutions carefully.

Do not make non-refundable travel arrangements based solely on an unofficial announcement.

ARES Scholarship and Your Long-Term Career Plan

Before applying, imagine yourself one year after completing the programme.

What has changed?

Perhaps you have:

• Returned to your organisation
• Started a new professional initiative
• Joined a research project
• Taken on a leadership role
• Introduced a new methodology
• Shared knowledge with colleagues
• Started a development project
• Continued into further academic research

If you cannot imagine how the programme fits into your professional future, you may need to rethink your programme choice.

A scholarship should have a purpose.

ARES Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARES Scholarship?

The ARES Scholarship is an international training scholarship programme associated with ARES in Belgium. It supports eligible applicants from partner countries through specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes and shorter continuing-education opportunities within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

Is the ARES Scholarship fully funded?

ARES provides substantial financial support, including travel, subsistence and insurance, with additional support such as tuition and certain visa-related expenses for applicable specialised degree programmes. The exact package depends on the programme.

Is the ARES Scholarship available for 2026/2027?

The 2026/2027 application cycle has already closed. Published information lists September 19, 2025 as the deadline for that cycle.

Can I still apply for the 2027/2028 ARES Scholarship?

The current ARES online form for the 2027/2028 International Training Scholarships is displayed as closed. Applicants should monitor ARES for the next official application announcement.

How long do ARES programmes last?

Advanced bachelor’s and master’s programmes generally last one academic year, while continuing-education programmes can last between two and six months.

Do I need work experience?

For the relevant International Training Scholarship routes, published requirements include at least two years of relevant professional experience.

Which countries are eligible?

The 2026/2027 call covered 31 ARES partner countries across Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Asia, with a specific exception concerning Palestinian nationals. The list should be checked again for each new call.

Can Nigerians apply for the ARES Scholarship?

Nigeria was not included in the 31-country list published for the 2026/2027 ARES International Training Scholarship call. Applicants should always verify the eligible-country list for the specific future call before applying. (Opportunities for Everyone)

Where is the ARES Scholarship offered?

The International Training Scholarships are offered through higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium. (Study in Belgium)

Is the ARES application free?

Published ARES information for previous calls states that applying for an ARES scholarship is free and that ARES does not charge fees during the application or selection process. (Ares AC)

ARES Scholarship: The Smartest Way to Prepare for the Next Opportunity

The biggest mistake you can make now is waiting for the next application window before preparing.

If you are eligible or expect to become eligible, begin building your application profile now.

Start by reviewing your academic records.

Then update your CV.

Collect proof of professional experience.

Identify the professional challenge you want to solve.

Research the types of programmes ARES has historically offered.

Most importantly, develop a clear explanation of why the training matters.

When the next application window eventually opens, you should not be starting from zero.

You should already have the foundation of a strong application.

 Final Thoughts

The ARES Scholarship stands out because it is not simply about sending international students to Belgium.

It is closely connected to professional development, capacity building and international cooperation.

For the right applicant, that can make the opportunity particularly valuable.

The strongest candidate is not necessarily the person with the longest CV or the highest number of certificates.

It is the person whose story makes sense.

Your education should support your professional experience.

Your professional experience should explain your need for additional training.

Your chosen programme should address that need.

And your future plans should demonstrate how the knowledge can be put to meaningful use.

That is the real opportunity behind ARES.

For readers searching for Belgium Scholarships, International Scholarships, or fully funded ARES scholarships in Belgium for international students, the most important lesson is to look beyond the headline.

Do not apply simply because a scholarship is fully funded.

Apply because the programme fits your professional direction.

Do not choose a course simply because it is in Belgium.

Choose it because it gives you knowledge you genuinely need.

And do not wait until the application portal opens to begin preparing.

The best scholarship applications are often built long before the deadline appears.

As of August 2026, the 2026/2027 ARES International Training Scholarship application window has already closed, and the current 2027/2028 online form is also marked closed. That makes this an ideal period for prospective applicants to prepare documents, strengthen professional experience, research suitable programmes and monitor the official ARES announcements rather than relying on outdated scholarship posts. (Mongo Scholar)

For official updates, applicants should rely on the Wallonie-Bruxelles Campus ARES Scholarship information page and the official ARES application announcements.

The scholarship window may close.

But preparation does not have to.