Brussels, Belgium – August 2025 – The Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES), a Belgian academic cooperation agency, has officially opened its call for applications for the International Training Scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year. The call was launched on 4 August 2025 and will remain open until 19 September 2025 at 12:00 PM Belgian time (UTC+1) (ARES).
Scholarship Offerings
ARES is offering a comprehensive package of educational opportunities:
- One Specialized Bachelor’s Degree
- Bachelier de spécialisation en Business Data Analysis (ARES).
- Ten Specialized Master’s Programs, including:
- Human Rights
- Risk & Disaster Management in the Anthropocene
- Integrated Health Risk Management
- Specialized Master in International and Development Economics
- Advanced Master in Microfinance
- Public Health Methodology
- Public Health Policy & Systems Analysis
- Transport and Logistics
- Social Innovation Design
- Nexus: Water-Energy-Food (ARES).
- Six Continuing Education Courses, such as:
- Certificate in Data Science for Global Health
- International Pedagogy in Digital University Teaching
- Interdisciplinary Certificate in Transitional Justice
- Continuing Education in Sustainable Development Project Change Management
- Quality Assurance & Control in Medicines and Health Products
- Free Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Training (ARES).
These programs are hosted across institutions within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and are conducted in English or French, depending on the course.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must:
- Have nationality in and reside and work in one of the 31 eligible ARES partner countries, including—but not limited to—numerous nations across Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Palestinian territory. (Note: Palestinian nationals are eligible even without residency in an ARES partner country.) (ARES).
- The eligible countries are :
- Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, DR Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
- South America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru.
- Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam.
- Asia: Palestinian territory.
- Hold:
- A diploma equivalent to a 1st-cycle (180 ECTS) Belgian diploma for the specialized bachelor’s degree.
- A diploma equivalent to a 2nd-cycle (300 ECTS) Belgian university diploma for master’s and continuing education programs (ARES).
- Have at least two years of relevant professional experience in their ARES partner country (ARES).
What’s Included in the Scholarship?
Recipients will receive comprehensive financial support:
- International travel expenses
- Monthly subsistence allowance
- Visa-related exceptional costs, tuition fees, and insurance (for bachelor’s and master’s)
- Indirect mission costs (for continuing education) (ARES).
Application Process & Resources
Applications must be submitted online via the GIRAF platform. Applicants should:
- Create or use an existing validated Giraf account
- Navigate to “Application for International Training 2026–2027” → My Tasks → Competitive Calls
- Complete and submit the application form before the deadline. Once submitted, edits are no longer allowed (ARES).
A downloadable applicant’s guide is available, and Maryvonne Aubry (scholarships-cooperation@
Applicants also have the option to lodge an appeal—via annulment or suspension—with Belgium’s Council of State, should any procedural issues arise (ARES).
Scale of the Program
This year, ARES anticipates awarding around 200 scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year, spread across the different educational tiers (specialized bachelor’s, master’s, and continuing education programs) (ARES).
Summary Table
| Application Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Date | 4 August 2025 |
| Deadline | 19 September 2025, 12:00 PM (UTC+1) |
| Programs Offered | 1 Specialized Bachelor, 10 Specialized Masters, 6 Continuing Courses |
| Eligibility | Nationals residing and working in eligible partner countries with required diplomas and experience |
| Benefits | Travel, subsistence, tuition, visa, insurance, mission-related expenses |
| Application Platform | GIRAF |
| Number of Scholarships | Approximately 200 |
| Appeal Process | Possible via Council of State |
Why This Matters
These scholarships provide vital capacity-building opportunities for professionals and emerging leaders from developing countries. Through advanced academic training in fields such as public health, development economics, microfinance, and innovation, ARES aims to foster sustainable growth and transformative leadership. The program emphasizes not only individual enrichment but also institutional strengthening and broader societal impact.
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