August 3, 2026
€1,150 / month + Full Tuition & Travel
Bachelor's, Master's & Continuing Education
Sept 18, 2026
Table of Contents
What Is the ARES Scholarship?
The ARES Scholarship Belgium 2027–2028 is a fully funded program that allows professionals from 32 eligible developing countries to study in Belgium for free. Every year, ARES offers around 200 scholarships covering full tuition, a €1,150 monthly allowance, round-trip flights, health insurance, and visa fees. You can apply for specialized bachelor’s, master’s, or short training programs in Belgium’s French-speaking region by creating an account on the GIRAF portal.
Eligible Countries For Belgium Government ARES Scholarships:
Undermentioned is the list of eligible countries for the Belgium Government ARES Scholarships for 2026-27.
Africa (21): Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
Asia & Middle East (6): Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam, Palestinian territories.
Latin America & Caribbean (5): Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru.
Not Eligible (Common Exclusions)
Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka.
Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt
Residency Requirement: You must permanently live and work in one of the 32 eligible partner countries at the time you submit your application (Palestinian nationals are exempt from the location requirement)..
Planning to study at a Dutch-speaking university in Flanders instead? Explore the fully funded VLIR-UOS Scholarship Belgium.
Eligibility Criteria for ARES Scholarship Belgium 2027–2028
Citizenship & Work: You must live and work in an eligible country and have at least 2 years of relevant work experience gained after finishing your degree.
Degree Timing: Your degree must be earned within the last 20 years (plus 1 extra year for each child born or adopted). There is no maximum age limit for applicants.
Language Skills: You need strong speaking and writing skills in the course language (mostly French, with a few English tracks).
One Application Limit: You can only apply to 1 program per year; applying to more will get you disqualified.
ARES Scholarship Benefits
Tuition: 100% free; all tuition and university registration fees are fully covered.
Monthly Allowance: €1,150 per month to cover rent and living costs (paid up to 12 months for degree programs, or up to 6 months for short training courses).
Flights: Free economy-class round-trip airplane ticket per year.
Visa Fees: Up to €200 included, with any extra official visa fees reimbursed separately with receipts.
Health Insurance: Complete health and medical insurance coverage included throughout your program.
Comparing Belgium Scholarships?
Check out our comprehensive VLIR-UOS vs ARES guide to decide whether Flanders or Wallonia-Brussels offers the right funding program for your goals.
Belgium Government ARES Scholarships Application Timeline:
September 18, 2026 (12:00 PM Belgian time) is the Final deadline to submit your completed application for Belgium Government Ares fully Funded Scholarships 2026-27 for International Students. Academic programs begin in Belgium
Required Documents
To apply for the ARES Scholarship Belgium 2027–2028, the undermentioned documents are required for International Students
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts
- Proof of at least 2 years of relevant professional experience
- A CV
- A motivation letter connecting your background to your chosen program
- Proof of language proficiency for your program’s language of instruction
- Passport copy
Check your specific program’s page on the ARES site for its exact document checklist before you start.
How to Apply for the ARES Scholarship
To apply for the ARES Scholarship Belgium 2027–2028, you must complete your application online through the official GIRAF portal. The process is 100% free at all stages.
Go to the official ARES website to confirm your country is eligible and select only one program that matches your background.
Create a GIRAF Account on the GIRAF portal before September 4, 2026. Account validation is not instant, and old accounts can be reused.
Access the Application Form: Log in to GIRAF, go to “Competitive Calls,” and select “Apply for international training 2027–2028”.
Fill Out Details & Upload Documents: Complete your educational and work history, then upload required files (CV, motivation letter, passport copy, certified degree transcripts, and work proof).
Submit Before Deadline: Submit your finalized application before September 18, 2026 (12:00 PM Belgian time). You cannot edit your form after submitting.
Track Results: Check your status under “My Submitted Applications” on GIRAF. Final results will be sent to all candidates by email in June 2027.
ARES reimburses up to €200 for your visa fee.
You can check our guide on Belgium Type D student visa requirements to see which documents you need to legalize before your embassy appointment.
ARES Scholarship Documents Required
Personal Documents: Passport copy, Codice Fiscale, and University Admission/Pre-enrollment letter.
Family & Assets: Official household composition/census certificate, property ownership deeds (or registered lease agreement), and bank balance certificates (showing final balance and average balance as of Dec 31 for all accounts).
Income Proof: Annual salary slips, employer certificates, or tax returns for all earning household members. Official zero-income affidavits for non-working adults.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming your country is eligible without checking (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are not eligible).
Applying to more than one ARES program in a single cycle.
Missing the GIRAF account creation cutoff, which closes two weeks before the final deadline.
Counting pre-degree work history instead of 2 full years of relevant post-graduation experience.
Submitting a generic motivation letter that fails to connect your background to the specific program.
Expecting phone calls or extra notifications instead of checking your email in June 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pakistani or Indian students apply?
No. Pakistan and India are not currently on ARES’s eligible country list.
Can Nepali students apply?
Yes. Nepal is currently an eligible country.
Do I need to speak French?
It depends on your program; most are French-taught, though basic French also helps with daily life in Belgium regardless of your program’s language.
How much work experience do I need?
At least 2 years of relevant professional experience, gained after your most recent degree and before the application deadline.
Official Links
Scholarship Researcher and Writer