Thinking about studying in Belgium? Great news! Applications for the ARES Scholarships are now open. These scholarships are fully funded for international students who want to study undergraduate, master’s, or specialized training courses in Belgium. They cover your travel expenses, provide a monthly living allowance of 1150 €, help with initial arrival costs, and cover tuition and return fees of 700 €.
The ARES Scholarships are specifically for students from developing countries who wish to pursue master’s studies in Belgium. ARES, funded by the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles and established to coordinate activities among 127 higher education institutions, offers these opportunities to encourage global collaboration and educational excellence.
It’s a fantastic chance to further your education and experience Belgium’s rich academic environment!
ARES Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / Masters / Training
- Institution(s): ARES
- Study in: Belgium
- Program Period:
- 4 Years for Undergraduate Degree Program.
- 1 Year for Master’s Degree Program.
- 4 to 6 Months for the Internship / Training Program.
- Deadline: The next call will be launched in September 2024
Courses Offered
Bachelor’s Scholarship:
- Specialized Bachelor in Business Data Analysis
- Specialized bachelor in pediatrics and neonatology
Master’s Scholarship:
- Master’s degree in Development, Environment and Societies.
- Master of specialization in human rights.
- Master of specialization in Aquatic Resources Management and Aquaculture.
- Master of specialization in risk and disaster management.
- Specialized Master in Integrated Risk Management in the Global South (IManHR).
- Specialized Master in International and Development Economics.
- Master of Specialization in Transfusion Medicine.
- Specialized Master in Microfinance.
- Master of specialization 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.
- Master of specialization in transport and logistics.
Training courses
- Internship in control and quality assurance of medicines and health products.
- Research internship for health systems strengthening.
- Internship in geographical information system.
- Internship in valorization of secondary resources for a sustainable construction.
- Methodological internship in support of innovation in family farming.
Scholarship Coverage
The ARES Scholarships offer several valuable benefits to recipients:
For Bachelor’s and Master’s Scholarships:
- International Travel Costs: Economy-class airfare for one round-trip per academic year on an IATA-approved airline.
- Living Allowance: 1150 € per month for a duration of 12 months to cover living expenses.
- Arrival Allowance: A one-time payment of 150 € upon the grantee’s arrival.
- Tuition and Return Fees: A one-time payment of 700 € upon the grantee’s arrival.
- Registration Fees: Covered at the current rate for DGD grantees.
- Insurance: Covered directly by ARES.
- Inter-University Training Costs: Reimbursed based on actual expenses with receipts.
For Training Course Grants:
- International Travel Cost: Economy-class airfare for one round-trip 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 6 months (prorated).
- Indirect Mission Fees: A one-time payment of 150 € upon the grantee’s arrival.
- Insurance: Covered directly by ARES.
- Inter-University Training Costs: Reimbursed based on actual expenses with receipts.
Eligibility Criteria for the ARES Scholarships
To qualify for ARES Scholarships, applicants must fulfill these requirements:
- Language Skills: Proficiency in English or French.
- Nationality: Citizens of Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cuba, Ecuador, Ethiopia (for English training courses only), Haiti, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Peru, the Philippines, the DR Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, and Vietnam.
- Residency: Must reside and work in their home country at the time of application.
- Age Limit: Below 40 years old for degree programs and below 45 years old for training courses when the program begins.
- Educational Background: Hold a diploma equivalent to graduate-level studies from a Belgian university. Different requirements may apply for specific training courses.
- Professional Experience: Minimum of two years of professional experience in a developing country after completing graduate studies, or three years if the applicant holds a postgraduate degree from an industrialized country.
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in written and spoken French is necessary. For courses in other languages, proficiency in the course language is required. Applicants must be willing to learn French for daily life in Belgium.
- Application Limit: Applicants may apply for only one training course.
How To Apply for the ARES Scholarships
To apply for ARES Masters and Internship Scholarships, follow these steps carefully:
- Create a GIRAF Account: Ensure you have an active GIRAF account. You can create one using this link. ARES will validate your account, and you will receive a confirmation email to set your password. If you already have a validated account from last year, you can reuse it and reset your password if needed.
- Access the Application Form: Log into your GIRAF account and navigate to the Competitive calls tab. Click on the “International training application 2025-2026” button only once. Your application form will appear in the My Tasks table under Competitive calls.
- Complete the Application: You can work on your application form multiple times by selecting the “Save and edit later” option. Each time you revisit, you’ll find your form in the My Tasks table.
- Submit Your Application: Once you are ready, click on “Submit my application”. Once submitted, your application is sent to ARES and cannot be modified. You can still view it in the My submitted files table for reference.
Following these steps ensures that your application for the ARES Scholarships is properly submitted and considered for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Website
To know more about the ARES Scholarships, please visit the official website below;
FAQs About the ARES Scholarships
Who is eligible for ARES Scholarships?
Eligibility criteria include being a citizen of a developing country, having proficiency in English or French, holding relevant educational qualifications, and meeting age and professional experience requirements as specified for each type of scholarship.
How do I apply for ARES Scholarships?
Applicants need to create and validate a GIRAF account, access the application form through the Competitive calls tab, complete it, and submit it via the GIRAF platform. Once submitted, applications cannot be modified.
What expenses do ARES Scholarships cover?
ARES Scholarships cover international travel costs, a monthly living allowance, arrival and tuition fees, insurance, and expenses related to inter-university training, depending on the specific scholarship type.
How are ARES Scholarships managed?
The Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES) administers these scholarships, ensuring coordination among 127 higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium.
Can I apply for multiple ARES Scholarships?
Applicants are allowed to apply for only one training course or degree program under the ARES Scholarships. Multiple applications will not be considered.
Are ARES Scholarships renewable?
ARES Scholarships are typically awarded for one academic year or the duration of the training course. Renewal options may vary depending on specific conditions and the availability of funds.