ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 in Belgium: Fully Funded Study and Professional Training Opportunities for Applicants from 32 Eligible Countries

The ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 offer an opportunity for qualified graduates and working professionals from selected developing and partner countries to undertake specialised higher education and professional training in Belgium.

The programme is administered by the Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES) and supports specialised academic and professional programmes within the higher education system of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium. For the 2027–2028 call, applicants can choose from one specialised bachelor’s programme, eight specialised master’s programmes, and one continuing education programme.

Applications opened on 3 August 2026, and the application deadline is Friday, 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1). Applicants are strongly advised to begin the process early because the application requires account creation, documentation, eligibility checks and submission through the ARES GIRAF platform.

ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 at a Glance

• Host country: Belgium
• Organiser: Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES)
• Academic year: 2027–2028
• Application opening date: 3 August 2026
• Application deadline: 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1)
• Study location: Institutions within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation
• Available programmes: 1 specialised bachelor’s degree, 8 specialised master’s degrees and 1 continuing education programme
• Duration: Up to 12 months for the specialised bachelor’s and master’s programmes; up to 6 months for continuing education
• Eligible applicants: Residents and workers from 32 eligible partner countries, with a special provision for Palestinian nationals
• Application platform: ARES GIRAF
• Application limit: One programme per applicant
• Funding: International travel, living/subsistence support, applicable tuition fees, insurance and certain visa-related or other eligible costs

What Are the ARES International Training Scholarships?

The ARES International Training Scholarships are designed to strengthen the academic knowledge, technical expertise and professional capacity of people from eligible partner countries.

Rather than being a general scholarship open to applicants from every country, the programme targets candidates from a defined group of partner countries. Applicants are expected to demonstrate both academic preparation and professional experience relevant to the programme they wish to pursue.

The 2027–2028 call provides specialised training in areas connected to major development and professional challenges, including:

• Human rights
• Public health
• International and development economics
• Microfinance
• Food-chain safety
• Supply-chain management
• Cybersecurity
• Health-risk management
• Cultural conservation and collections management
• Disaster and risk management

The programme therefore has potential relevance to professionals working in government, development organisations, NGOs, healthcare, finance, supply chains, technology, public administration, humanitarian work, research, education and other related fields.

Programmes Available Under the ARES 2027–2028 Call

Applicants should carefully examine the admission requirements of their preferred programme before beginning the application because academic and professional requirements can differ between programmes.

1. Specialised Bachelor’s Degree

The 2027–2028 call includes one specialised bachelor’s programme:

Specialised Bachelor’s in Digital Integrated Supply Chain

This programme is particularly relevant to candidates interested in modern supply-chain systems, logistics, digital transformation, procurement, international business and integrated supply-chain management.

The programme may be particularly attractive to professionals whose careers involve logistics, procurement, supply-chain operations, business management, international development or related areas.

The specialised bachelor’s programme has a maximum duration of 12 months.

2. Eight Specialised Master’s Programmes

Applicants can also choose from eight specialised master’s programmes covering a broad range of development-oriented disciplines.

The available programmes include:

1. Specialised Master’s in Human Rights
2. Specialised Master’s in Integrated Health Risk Management
3. Specialised Master in International and Development Economics
4. Advanced Master in Microfinance
5. Specialised Master’s in Public Health Sciences – Analysis and Evaluation of International Health Policies, Programmes and Systems
6. Specialised Master’s in Food Chain Safety Management
7. Specialised Master’s in Preventive Conservation and Collections Management
8. Specialised Master’s in Risk and Disaster Management in the Anthropocene Era

These programmes provide opportunities for professionals to deepen their expertise in fields that have significant relevance to sustainable development, public policy, health systems, economic development, food security, cultural heritage, disaster preparedness and humanitarian responses.

The specialised master’s programmes have a maximum duration of 12 months.

3. Continuing Education Programme

The call also includes a continuing education opportunity:

Certificate in Cybersecurity Operations and Risk Governance

The programme focuses on cybersecurity operations and the governance of digital risks. It may be particularly relevant for professionals working in information technology, cybersecurity, digital governance, risk management and related fields.

The continuing education programme has a maximum duration of six months.

Who Can Apply for the ARES Scholarships?

The ARES scholarships have specific eligibility requirements. Meeting one requirement alone does not necessarily make an applicant eligible. Candidates should satisfy the residency, employment, academic, professional experience and programme-specific admission requirements.

1. Applicants Must Be Connected to an Eligible Country

Candidates must be permanent residents and workers in one of the 32 eligible countries.

There is a specific exception for Palestinian nationals, who may qualify even when they do not reside in one of the 32 listed countries.

This means that simply holding nationality from an eligible country may not be sufficient in every case. The call specifically refers to residence and employment requirements, so applicants should carefully review their circumstances before submitting an application.

2. Applicants Must Hold an Appropriate Higher Education Qualification

Candidates must have an appropriate higher education qualification and satisfy the admission requirements of the programme they select.

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

The maximum period can be extended by one additional year for each childbirth and/or adoption, according to the eligibility conditions provided in the call.

Applicants should therefore examine the academic requirements of their selected programme rather than assuming that every university degree will automatically qualify them.

3. Professional Experience Is Required

Applicants must demonstrate at least two years of relevant professional experience in one of the eligible countries.

The experience must have been acquired after completion of the most recent graduate degree and before the application deadline.

This requirement makes the scholarship particularly relevant to working professionals who already have experience in their field and want to acquire specialised international training that can strengthen their contribution to their organisations and communities.

4. Language Proficiency

Applicants must complete their application in the language in which their chosen programme is taught.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate good written and spoken command of the relevant teaching language.

Applicants should therefore check the language requirements of their specific programme before applying.

The scholarship information also notes that having a basic knowledge of French can be helpful for integration into everyday life in Belgium, even where the programme itself may have different language requirements.

5. Applicants Can Apply for Only One Programme

One of the important rules of the ARES call is that an applicant may apply for only one programme.

Applicants should therefore research the available courses carefully before submitting their application.

Choosing a programme should involve considering:

• Academic background
• Professional experience
• Career objectives
• Programme admission requirements
• Language requirements
• Relevance to the applicant’s professional field
• Long-term career plans

Submitting applications for multiple programmes is not an appropriate strategy under this call.

Which Countries Are Eligible?

The ARES International Training Scholarships are open to applicants connected to 32 eligible partner countries across Africa, Asia, Southeast Asia, South America and the Caribbean.

Eligible African Countries

The African countries included in the call are:

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

Eligible Countries in South America and the Caribbean

The eligible countries listed in this region are:

• Bolivia
• Cuba
• Ecuador
• Haiti
• Peru

Eligible Southeast Asian Countries

The eligible Southeast Asian countries are:

• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Nepal
• Philippines
• Vietnam

Eligible Asian Country

• Palestine

Therefore, applicants from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and the other listed partner countries can potentially apply, provided they satisfy all other eligibility requirements.

Importantly, this is not a scholarship open to all African countries. Applicants should check the official country list before investing time in preparing an application.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The ARES International Training Scholarships provide substantial financial support to successful applicants.

The support listed in the call includes several major categories.

International Travel Expenses

Scholarship recipients receive support for international travel expenses associated with their studies or training in Belgium.

This can significantly reduce one of the major financial barriers faced by international applicants who need to travel to Europe for their programme.

Subsistence Allowance

The scholarship includes a subsistence allowance to help recipients meet living expenses during their period of study or training.

This is particularly important for international students who may otherwise need to finance accommodation, food and other daily expenses independently.

Tuition Fees

For the specialised bachelor’s and specialised master’s programmes, the scholarship includes support for tuition fees.

This means successful recipients can undertake their eligible programme without having to independently finance the applicable tuition costs covered by the scholarship.

Visa-Related Expenses

For specialised bachelor’s and specialised master’s recipients, the scholarship can cover exceptional costs associated with visa applications, subject to the conditions of the programme and scholarship.

This provides additional financial support during the relocation process.

Insurance

Insurance costs are also included in the scholarship support.

This provides an additional layer of financial protection for recipients while they are undertaking their programme in Belgium.

Continuing Education Support

For the continuing education programme, the financial package includes indirect mission expenses, alongside the applicable scholarship support described in the call.

Because funding arrangements can differ depending on the programme type, applicants should consult the official call documentation for the exact financial conditions applicable to their selected programme.

How Long Are the ARES Programmes?

The duration depends on the type of programme selected.

Specialised Bachelor’s and Master’s Programmes

The specialised bachelor’s and specialised master’s programmes have a maximum duration of:

12 months

Continuing Education

The continuing education programme has a maximum duration of:

6 months

Applicants should distinguish these programmes from conventional multi-year undergraduate or master’s programmes. The ARES International Training call is focused on specialised training and academic programmes designed to strengthen the expertise of candidates who already possess relevant educational and professional backgrounds.

How to Apply for the ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028

Applications are submitted electronically through the ARES GIRAF platform.

The application process involves several stages.

Step 1: Create or Access Your GIRAF Account

Applicants who already have a GIRAF account created and validated by ARES can log in using their existing account.

Candidates who do not have a validated GIRAF account must complete the account creation request process.

It is advisable to do this well before the deadline because applicants should not leave account creation and validation until the final hours of the application period.

Step 2: Access the International Training Application

After logging into GIRAF, navigate to:

Competitive Calls

Then select:

Application – International Training 2027–2028

Applicants should click the application button only once, according to the application instructions.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

Applicants should carefully complete all required sections of the form.

Certain fields marked with an asterisk are mandatory and must be completed before the application can initially be saved.

The system allows applicants to work on the application over multiple sessions.

This means candidates do not necessarily need to complete everything in one sitting.

Step 4: Save Your Application as a Draft

If an applicant needs additional time to gather information or documents, the form can be saved as a draft.

To continue a saved application, applicants should go to:

Competitive Calls → My Tasks

They can then select the relevant application and click:

Open

The applicant can continue editing the form as long as it remains a draft and has not been submitted.

Step 5: Review the Application Carefully

Before submission, applicants should check:

• Personal information
• Academic qualifications
• Employment history
• Professional experience
• Programme selection
• Language information
• Supporting documentation
• Eligibility information
• Contact details
• Any programme-specific requirements

A careful final review is important because errors or missing information can affect the application.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Once everything has been completed and reviewed, the applicant can select:

Submit my application

After submission, the application will appear under:

Competitive Calls → My Submitted Applications

A crucial point is that an application cannot be modified after it has been submitted.

Applicants should therefore avoid submitting prematurely.

Important Application Deadline

The deadline for the ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 is:

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

Applications opened on 3 August 2026.

Applicants should not wait until the final day to create their GIRAF account, upload documents or submit the application.

Because the deadline is based on Belgian time, international applicants should also account for the time difference between Belgium and their home country.

Important Documents and Preparation

Although exact documentation can depend on the selected programme, applicants should be prepared to provide evidence supporting their eligibility and application.

Potentially relevant materials include:

• Academic certificates and diplomas
• Academic transcripts
• Evidence of professional experience
• Employment information
• Proof of residence
• Proof of nationality
• Language-related documentation where applicable
• Programme-specific documents
• Recommendation or reference information where required
• Any additional documentation requested by the selected programme

Applicants should use the official ARES candidate guide and call documentation to determine exactly what must be submitted.

It is also advisable to ensure that documents are clear, valid and prepared in the required language or format before beginning the final submission process.

How to Strengthen Your ARES Scholarship Application

Meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee selection. Applicants should therefore approach the application strategically.

1. Select a Programme That Matches Your Background

Do not choose a programme simply because it is fully funded.

Your academic background and professional experience should make sense in relation to your chosen field.

For example, someone with professional experience in logistics, procurement, operations or supply-chain management may find the Digital Integrated Supply Chain programme particularly relevant.

Similarly, someone working in public health should carefully examine the public-health and health-risk programmes.

2. Connect Your Professional Experience to Your Career Goals

Your professional experience should demonstrate why the programme is useful for your career.

Explain the skills you have already developed and identify the knowledge gaps that the programme will help you address.

A strong application should create a logical connection between:

Past experience → Current professional responsibilities → Selected programme → Future impact

3. Demonstrate Development Impact

Because the programme is designed around international cooperation and capacity building, applicants should clearly demonstrate how advanced training could contribute to their institution, sector or wider community after completion.

Think beyond personal advancement.

Consider how the knowledge gained in Belgium could be applied to:

• Improve organisational systems
• Strengthen public services
• Develop innovative programmes
• Improve professional practices
• Address development challenges
• Build institutional capacity
• Transfer knowledge to colleagues
• Support sustainable development

4. Check Programme-Specific Admission Requirements

One of the most important steps is to review the detailed admission requirements for the programme you intend to select.

Different programmes can have different academic prerequisites and professional expectations.

A candidate who meets the general ARES requirements may still fail to meet the admission conditions of a particular programme.

5. Start Early

Do not treat the deadline as the date to begin the application.

A better approach is to:

1. Check eligibility.
2. Research the programmes.
3. Select one suitable programme.
4. Create and validate your GIRAF account.
5. Gather supporting documents.
6. Complete the application.
7. Review the information.
8. Submit before the deadline.

Starting early also gives you time to address technical or documentation problems.

Why This Scholarship Is Valuable

The ARES International Training Scholarships can provide more than financial assistance.

For successful candidates, studying or undertaking professional training in Belgium can provide opportunities to:

• Gain specialised international academic training
• Develop advanced professional expertise
• Study in a European higher education environment
• Build international professional networks
• Learn from specialists and academic institutions
• Strengthen career prospects
• Acquire knowledge that can be applied in the home country
• Gain exposure to international approaches and practices
• Develop skills relevant to development challenges
• Expand professional and academic perspectives

For mid-career professionals, the opportunity can be especially valuable because it combines international exposure with specialised training rather than simply providing a general academic qualification.

Key Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid

Applicants should be particularly careful to avoid the following mistakes:

Applying for More Than One Programme

The call permits applicants to apply for only one programme.

Ignoring the Residency and Employment Requirement

Being from an eligible country does not mean every applicant automatically qualifies. The residency and employment conditions should be carefully checked.

Applying Without the Required Professional Experience

The call requires at least two years of relevant professional experience under the stated conditions.

Choosing a Programme Without Checking Academic Requirements

Every programme can have specific admission requirements.

Submitting an Incomplete Application

Missing information or documentation can weaken an application or make it ineligible.

Waiting Until the Deadline

Technical issues, account validation, missing documents or last-minute errors can create serious problems.

Forgetting That Submitted Applications Cannot Be Edited

Applicants should review everything carefully before clicking the final submission button.

Who Should Consider Applying?

The opportunity may be particularly suitable for:

• Professionals from eligible developing and partner countries
• Graduates seeking advanced specialised training
• Mid-career professionals who want to strengthen their expertise
• Professionals working in development-related fields
• Public-sector employees
• NGO and civil-society professionals
• Health professionals
• Supply-chain and logistics professionals
• Economists and development practitioners
• Human-rights professionals
• Financial and microfinance specialists
• Food-safety professionals
• Disaster-risk and humanitarian practitioners
• Cybersecurity and technology professionals
• Professionals working in cultural heritage and collections management

However, applicants should not rely solely on their professional field. They must also satisfy the official ARES eligibility requirements and the admission requirements of their selected programme.

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Application Resources

Applicants should consult the official ARES application information, candidate guidance and call documentation before submitting.

The ARES candidate guide should be used to understand the GIRAF application process and submission requirements.

Applicants should also consult the official 2027–2028 call reference document for the authoritative eligibility, programme and funding conditions.

For questions concerning the scholarship call, the provided contact is: Maryvonne Aubry Email: scholarships-cooperation@ares-ac.be

Visit HERE to learn more about the ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 in Belgium.

Final Thoughts

The ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028 represent a significant opportunity for qualified professionals and graduates from 32 eligible partner countries to undertake specialised academic or professional training in Belgium with substantial financial support.

The programme stands out because of the range of disciplines available. Applicants can pursue training connected to human rights, public health, international and development economics, microfinance, food-chain safety, cultural conservation, disaster and risk management, supply-chain management and cybersecurity.

The scholarship is particularly suited to candidates who already have relevant academic qualifications and professional experience and who can clearly demonstrate how specialised international training will contribute to their professional development and wider impact.

For eligible applicants, the most important next step is to verify the requirements of the specific programme they wish to pursue, prepare the required documentation and establish or validate their GIRAF account well before the deadline.

Application deadline: 18 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Belgian time (UTC+1).

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and remember that once an application is submitted, it can no longer be modified. Always verify the latest requirements and instructions through the official ARES documentation before submitting.

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