ARES Scholarships 2027-28 in Belgium | Fully Funded

ARES Scholarships 2027-28 in Belgium offer an excellent opportunity for international students and professionals from eligible developing countries who want to pursue advanced higher education and professional training in Belgium. The scholarships are supported by the Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES) of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels.

For students looking for fully funded scholarships in Belgium, the ARES programme can be an attractive option because selected candidates can receive financial support covering important costs related to their studies and stay in Belgium.

Important: The 2027-28 application information, eligible programmes, deadlines, and funding details should be confirmed on the official ARES platform when the new call is published. ARES currently has an official 2027-2028 international training scholarship form, although the indexed form is presently closed to new submissions.

ARES Scholarships 2027-28 Overview

What Is the ARES Scholarship?

ARES is the Academy of Research and Higher Education in the French-speaking Community of Belgium. Through its international cooperation programmes, ARES supports students and professionals from eligible countries who wish to develop specialized knowledge and skills.

The programme is particularly focused on areas that can contribute to social and economic development. Depending on the annual call, applicants may be able to choose from specific master’s programmes or international training programmes offered by higher education institutions in Belgium.

ARES does not operate as a university itself; therefore, applicants should carefully follow the programme and admission instructions associated with the scholarship call.

Why Apply for ARES Scholarships 2027-28?

Studying in Belgium can provide international students with access to high-quality higher education, research opportunities, multicultural academic environments, and professional networks.

The ARES scholarship programme is particularly attractive because financial support can reduce the major costs associated with studying abroad.

Main benefits may include:

• Tuition and study-related financial support
• International travel assistance
• Living allowance
• Accommodation-related support
• Insurance
• Visa-related assistance or allowances
• Support for academic and professional activities
• Other benefits specified in the official scholarship call

Note: Exact benefits and amounts can change from one academic year to another. Always check the official 2027-28 scholarship announcement before publishing final financial figures.

Who Can Apply?

ARES scholarships are primarily intended for candidates from countries eligible under ARES international cooperation programmes.

Applicants normally need to demonstrate that they meet both the ARES scholarship eligibility requirements and the academic admission requirements of their selected programme.

Typical requirements may include:

• Citizenship of an eligible country
• Relevant academic qualifications
• Professional experience where required
• Appropriate academic or professional background
• Strong motivation to study the selected programme
• Compliance with programme-specific admission requirements
• Meeting the age and experience requirements stated in the official call
• Commitment to returning or contributing to development in the applicant’s home country, where required

Because requirements can vary by programme, candidates should not assume that meeting the general ARES requirements automatically guarantees admission.

Eligible Countries

ARES scholarships are intended for applicants from countries selected for international cooperation.

The exact list of eligible countries for 2027-28 should be checked when ARES publishes the official call.

Applicants should therefore verify their nationality against the official list before preparing a complete application.

What Can You Study?

ARES programmes are generally focused on specialized areas that are relevant to development and international cooperation.

Depending on the academic year, available fields can include areas such as:

• Public health
• Human rights
• Development studies
• Environmental sciences
• Food and agricultural sciences
• Transportation and logistics
• Water and natural resource management
• Economics and management
• Specialized engineering
• Other development-related fields

The available programmes can change each year, so applicants should use the official ARES programme list for the 2027-28 academic year rather than relying on an older list.

ARES Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, candidates should carefully review the eligibility criteria for their chosen programme.

1. Nationality

You must normally be a citizen of an eligible country included in the ARES international cooperation programme.

2. Academic Background

Applicants must hold the academic qualification required for the selected programme.

For example, a specialized master’s programme may require a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree depending on the programme.

3. Professional Experience

Some programmes may require applicants to have relevant professional experience.

The required experience can differ according to the programme, so read the individual programme requirements carefully.

4. Professional or Academic Relevance

Your previous studies and/or professional experience should generally be connected to the programme you want to pursue.

5. Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the language requirements of their selected programme.

Do not assume that every ARES programme has the same language requirements. Check the programme description and the relevant university instructions.

6. Motivation

A strong motivation statement can be an important part of your application.

Explain why you want to study the programme, how it fits your academic or professional background, and how you plan to use the knowledge after completing your studies.

Documents Required

The exact documents can vary depending on the programme and annual call.

Applicants should be prepared to provide documents such as:

• Valid passport or national identification document
• Academic diplomas
• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter
• Proof of professional experience, if required
• Proof of language proficiency, if required
• Recommendation letters, where applicable
• Other programme-specific documents

Make sure all documents are clear and complete before submitting your application.

How to Apply for ARES Scholarships 2027-28

The application process is completed online through the official ARES application system when the relevant call opens.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

First, confirm that your nationality, academic qualifications, professional background, and other requirements match the programme you want to apply for.

Step 2: Select an Eligible Programme

Review the programmes available under the 2027-28 ARES scholarship call.

Choose a programme that matches your academic background and career goals.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Prepare your CV, diplomas, transcripts, motivation letter, passport and any additional documents required by your selected programme.

Step 4: Complete the Online Application

Create or access your application through the official ARES platform.

Enter your personal, academic and professional information carefully.

Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents

Upload all required documents in the correct format.

Before submitting, check that every required section has been completed.

Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline

Submit your application before the official deadline.

Do not wait until the final day because technical problems or missing documents could prevent successful submission.

Step 7: Wait for the Selection Results

ARES will evaluate applications according to the conditions of the annual call. Successful candidates will receive further instructions concerning their scholarship and studies.

Is IELTS Required for ARES Scholarships?

This is one of the most common questions from international applicants.

There is no universal IELTS rule that applies to every ARES programme. Language requirements depend on the selected programme and institution.

Therefore, applicants should check the language requirements for their specific programme before assuming that IELTS is either required or not required.

If the programme is taught in French, applicants may need to demonstrate an appropriate level of French. Other programmes may have different language requirements.

Is the ARES Scholarship Fully Funded?

ARES scholarships are commonly described as fully funded because the programme provides substantial financial support to selected candidates.

However, the exact funding package can vary by programme and academic year.

For this reason, applicants should check the official 2027-28 call for the confirmed scholarship benefits, allowances, travel arrangements, insurance, and other financial provisions.

ARES Scholarship Selection Process

ARES receives applications from qualified international candidates and evaluates them according to the criteria established for the scholarship programme.

Selection may consider factors such as:

• Academic performance
• Professional experience
• Relevance of the candidate’s background
• Motivation
• Development impact
• Relevance of the proposed studies
• Quality and completeness of the application
• Eligibility under the programme’s cooperation priorities

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily guarantee selection.

Important Tips for a Strong Application

Write a Strong Motivation Letter

Your motivation letter should clearly explain:

Why this programme?

Explain why the specific programme is important for your academic and career development.

Why Belgium?

Explain how studying in Belgium will contribute to your professional development.

What will you do after graduation?

Show how you plan to apply your knowledge and skills in your country or professional environment.

Connect Your Experience With the Programme

Do not submit a generic application.

Your academic background, professional experience, career plans, and selected programme should tell a consistent story.

Check Every Requirement

ARES programmes can have different requirements. Carefully read the official information before submitting your application.

Apply Early

Prepare your documents before the application window opens. This gives you enough time to correct mistakes and obtain missing documents.

ARES Scholarships 2027-28 Deadline

The official ARES Scholarships 2027-28 deadline should be confirmed from the new ARES call for applications.

Do not rely on deadlines copied from previous scholarship cycles because ARES can change application dates and programme availability.

The official ARES platform should be your primary source for the 2027-28 deadline.

How to Find the Official Application

Applicants should use the official ARES website and application platform rather than third-party websites.

Official ARES website:
ARES – Academy of Research and Higher Education

The ARES online platform is also used for scholarship-related applications and forms. An official ARES 2027-2028 international training scholarship form is already indexed, but the current form status indicates that submissions are closed at the moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARES Scholarship?

The ARES Scholarship is an international scholarship programme supported by the Academy of Research and Higher Education in Belgium for eligible international candidates.

Can international students apply?

Yes. ARES international cooperation scholarships are designed for eligible candidates from selected countries.

Can African students apply?

Applicants from eligible African countries can apply, provided they meet the nationality and programme-specific requirements.

Is the scholarship fully funded?

ARES provides substantial financial support, and the programme is commonly promoted as fully funded. Exact benefits should be confirmed in the official 2027-28 call.

Do I need IELTS?

Not necessarily. Language requirements depend on the programme. Always check the requirements of your selected programme.

Can I apply for any master’s programme in Belgium?

No. You should apply only to programmes included in the relevant ARES scholarship call and meet their admission requirements.

Does ARES guarantee admission to a Belgian university?

No. Scholarship eligibility and academic admission are separate considerations. Applicants must follow the requirements of the selected programme and institution.

Is there an application fee?

Applicants should verify the official 2027-28 application instructions for the current fee policy.

Final Thoughts

The ARES Scholarships 2027-28 in Belgium could be an excellent opportunity for eligible international students and professionals who want to gain advanced education and international experience in Belgium.

If you are interested in this scholarship, start preparing early. Gather your academic documents, update your CV, prepare a strong motivation letter, and carefully research the eligible programmes.

Most importantly, check the official ARES website when the 2027-28 call is officially published because scholarship requirements, eligible programmes, funding details, and deadlines can change.

Good luck with your ARES Scholarship application! 🇧🇪🎓