ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 in Belgium Fully Funded International Training Opportunities Deadline 18 September 2026

ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 in Belgium Fully Funded International Training Opportunities Deadline 18 September 2026

The ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 are now open for applications. The programme provides international scholarship opportunities for students and professionals from 32 eligible countries to undertake specialized higher education and continuing education programmes in Belgium.

The ARES scholarship programme supports one Specialized Bachelor’s programme, eight Specialized Master’s programmes, and one Continuing Education programme.

Applications opened on 3 August 2026.

The application deadline is 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time, UTC+1.

Rwanda is officially included among the 32 eligible countries. Rwandan applicants who meet the academic, professional, residence, and other requirements can apply.

ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 Quick Facts

Scholarship Name: ARES International Training Scholarships

Academic Year: 2027–2028

Country: Belgium

Study Level: Specialized Bachelor’s, Specialized Master’s and Continuing Education

Number of Programmes: One Specialized Bachelor’s, eight Specialized Master’s and one Continuing Education programme

Duration for Specialized Bachelor’s and Master’s: Up to 12 months

Duration for Continuing Education: Up to 6 months

Eligible Countries: 32 countries, including Rwanda

Opening Date: 3 August 2026

Application Deadline: 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time, UTC+1

Application Platform: ARES GIRAF

Available Training Programmes

For the 2027–2028 academic year, ARES offers:

One Specialized Bachelor’s programme

Eight Specialized Master’s programmes

One Continuing Education programme

The programmes cover different academic and professional areas. Applicants should consult the official ARES programme descriptions to identify the programme that matches their academic qualifications and professional experience.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the eligibility conditions established by ARES and the selected training programme.

Applicants must permanently reside and work in one of the 32 eligible countries.

Applicants must hold a higher education degree that meets the admission requirements of the selected programme.

The relevant academic qualification must generally have been obtained no more than 20 years before the start of the training programme.

This 20-year period may be extended by one year per childbirth and or adoption, according to the applicable ARES rules.

Applicants must have at least two years of relevant professional experience in one of the 32 eligible countries after obtaining their most recent higher education degree and before the application deadline.

Applicants must complete the application in the language in which the selected training programme is taught and demonstrate good written and spoken knowledge of that language.

Applicants are allowed to apply for only one training programme.

Eligible Countries

The ARES International Training Scholarships are available to applicants from 32 eligible countries.

Africa

South Africa

Benin

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Côte d’Ivoire

Ethiopia

Guinea

Kenya

Madagascar

Mali

Morocco

Mozambique

Niger

Uganda

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Senegal

Tanzania

Tunisia

Zimbabwe

South America and the Caribbean

Bolivia

Cuba

Ecuador

Haiti

Peru

Southeast Asia

Cambodia

Indonesia

Nepal

Philippines

Vietnam

Asia

Palestine

Rwanda is therefore one of the officially eligible countries for the ARES Scholarships 2027–2028.

Benefits of the ARES Scholarship

The ARES scholarship provides financial support for selected international training programmes in Belgium.

The scholarship includes:

International travel expenses

Living allowance

Insurance costs

Exceptional visa-related expenses for Specialized Bachelor’s and Specialized Master’s programmes

Registration fees for Specialized Bachelor’s and Specialized Master’s programmes

Indirect mission expenses for Continuing Education programmes

The exact financial support depends on the type of programme selected.

Duration of the Scholarship

The duration depends on the selected programme.

Specialized Bachelor’s programmes can last up to 12 months.

Specialized Master’s programmes can last up to 12 months.

Continuing Education programmes can last up to 6 months.

Application Process

Applications are submitted online through the ARES GIRAF platform.

Applicants should follow these steps.

Step 1: Create an ARES GIRAF Account

Applicants must have an ARES GIRAF account.

If you already have a GIRAF account that has been created and validated by ARES, you can use the existing account.

Applicants who do not have an account should follow the official ARES instructions to request the creation of a GIRAF account.

Step 2: Access the Application Form

After logging into GIRAF, go to the Competitive Calls section and select the application for International Training 2027–2028.

Applicants should select the application option only once.

Step 3: Complete and Save the Application

Complete all required sections of the application form.

Mandatory fields are marked accordingly.

Applicants can complete the application in several sessions by saving the form as a draft.

Step 4: Review the Saved Application

Applicants can return to a saved application through the Competitive Calls section and the My Tasks area.

As long as the application remains a draft and has not been submitted, applicants can continue editing it.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Once the application is complete, click Submit Application.

After submission, the application will appear under the My Submitted Applications section.

Applicants should carefully review all information before submitting because an application cannot be modified after it has been submitted.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 is:

18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time, UTC+1.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline and avoid waiting until the final hours.

Important Information for Rwandan Applicants

Rwanda is officially included among the 32 countries eligible for the ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028.

However, being from an eligible country does not automatically guarantee selection.

Rwandan applicants must also meet the academic requirements of their chosen programme, have the required professional experience, permanently reside and work in Rwanda or another eligible country as required, demonstrate the required language proficiency, and satisfy all other ARES conditions.

Applicants can apply for only one training programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Rwandans eligible for the ARES Scholarship?

Yes. Rwanda is officially listed among the 32 eligible countries for the ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028.

What programmes are available?

The 2027–2028 call includes one Specialized Bachelor’s programme, eight Specialized Master’s programmes, and one Continuing Education programme.

How long do the programmes last?

Specialized Bachelor’s and Specialized Master’s programmes last up to 12 months, while the Continuing Education programme lasts up to 6 months.

How much professional experience is required?

Applicants must have at least two years of relevant professional experience after obtaining their most recent higher education degree and before the application deadline.

Can I apply for more than one programme?

No. Each applicant can apply for only one ARES training programme.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time, UTC+1.

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted online through the ARES GIRAF platform.

Conclusion

The ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 provide an important opportunity for eligible students and professionals from developing countries to undertake specialized academic and professional training in Belgium.

Rwanda is among the 32 officially eligible countries, making this an opportunity that qualified Rwandan applicants can consider.

Applicants should carefully review the requirements of their chosen programme, prepare their supporting documents, create or access their ARES GIRAF account, and submit their complete application before 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time.

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