The ARES Scholarships 2026 offer a unique opportunity for individuals from developing countries to pursue a fully funded bachelor’s or master’s degree, or participate in a short-term continuing education course (2 to 6 months) in higher education institutions of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, international travel, monthly stipends, visa costs, and other essential expenses.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Belgium
- Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: Developing Countries (See full list below)
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Monthly Stipends | Travel Allowance
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: September 19, 2025
Scholarship Details
The ARES Scholarship Programme is designed for professionals from partner countries who already hold a higher education degree and wish to enhance their expertise in a field linked to development goals. Whether you’re seeking a bachelor’s, master’s, or continuing education qualification, ARES offers over 200 total scholarship slots annually for study in key development-focused areas.
Eligible fields of study include health, agriculture, aquaculture, food technology, economics, international development, GIS, IT, environment, human rights, and microfinance, among others. The goal is to build the capacity of future leaders who will apply their knowledge to development initiatives in their home countries.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the ARES Scholarship Belgium 2026, applicants must:
- Be a national of, currently residing in, and working in one of the 31 eligible countries (see list below)
- Hold one of the following:
- A degree comparable to a 2nd cycle diploma (equivalent to 300 ECTS credits) for master’s or continuing education courses
- A degree comparable to a 1st cycle diploma (equivalent to 180 ECTS credits) for bachelor’s-level specialization programs
- Have at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country
- Apply to an eligible ARES programme or institution
Scholarship Benefits
The ARES Scholarship Programme provides:
- Full coverage of international travel costs
- Living allowance throughout the duration of the course
- Tuition and registration fees
- Visa-related expenses and health insurance
- Support for any other exceptional costs related to the study program
Number of awards available:
- 130 scholarships for bachelor’s and master’s programs
- 70 scholarships for continuing education courses
Duration of program:
- 2 to 12 months, depending on the selected course of study
Eligible Countries
Applicants must be from one of the following countries:
- Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, DR 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 Territories
Required Documents
Applicants must be ready to upload:
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Proof of professional experience
- National ID or passport
- Motivation letter and CV
- Other documents required by the program or university
How to Apply
To apply for the ARES Scholarship 2026:
- Create an account on the GIRAF online platform
- Complete and submit the scholarship application form
- Ensure all required documents are uploaded
- Applications must be submitted before September 19, 2025 at 12 PM (Belgian time, UTC+1)
For more details and to begin your application, click HERE
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To join the EDUSPUR WhatsApp Channel, click HERE
