ARES International Training Scholarships 2026–2027 offer a fully funded opportunity for students and professionals from developing countries to pursue specialized academic and professional training in Belgium. Organized by the Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES), these scholarships are designed to support capacity building and sustainable development in partner countries.
With funding for international travel, tuition fees, living allowances, and insurance, the programme allows recipients to focus fully on their academic growth and skills development. Scholars can pursue specialised bachelor’s and master’s degrees or short continuing training programmes while building international networks that will contribute to long-term career impact.
Scholarship Benefits
ARES International Training Scholarships 2026–2027 provide comprehensive benefits to cover all essential expenses of awardees. These include:
- International travel expenses.
- Subsistence allowance for living costs.
- Coverage of tuition fees (for specialised bachelor’s and master’s only).
- Exceptional visa-related costs (for specialised bachelor’s and master’s only).
- Indirect mission expenses (for continuing education only).
- Health and accident insurance during the study period.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the ARES International Training Scholarships 2026–2027, applicants must:
- Be a permanent resident and worker in one of the 31 eligible ARES partner countries (Palestinian nationals are also eligible, even if they do not reside in one of these countries).
- Hold:
- A diploma equivalent to a first-cycle degree (180 ECTS) for specialised bachelor’s programmes.
- A diploma equivalent to a second-cycle degree (300 ECTS) for specialised master’s and continuing education programmes.
- Demonstrate at least two years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country.
Eligible Countries
ARES International Training Scholarships 2026–2027 are open to applicants from the following regions:
- Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, DR Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
- South America & Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru.
- Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam.
- Asia: Palestinian territory.
Eligible Programmes
Scholarships are available for the following training opportunities:
- One specialised bachelor’s degree.
- Ten specialised master’s programmes.
- Six continuing training courses, including:
- Certificate in Data Science for Global Health.
- International Training in Digital University Pedagogy.
- Inter-university and Interdisciplinary Certificate in Transitional Justice.
- Training in Human Dimensions of Sustainable Development Projects.
- Quality Assurance and Control of Medicines and Health Products.
- Training in Free Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Application Process
Applying for the ARES International Training Scholarships 2026–2027 is done entirely online through the GIRAF platform. Applicants are advised not to send documents by email, as this may indicate phishing attempts. Steps to Apply:
- Create or log into your GIRAF account (validated by ARES).
- Access the form via Application for international training 2026–2027 > My tasks > Competitive calls.
- Fill in the application form (it can be completed in several sessions).
- Submit the application by clicking “Submit my application.” Once submitted, the file will appear in My submitted files, but can no longer be modified.
- Refer to the official applicant’s guide for step-by-step instructions.
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Required Documents
While specific requirements may vary by programme, applicants generally need to prepare the following:
- Copy of academic degree(s) and transcripts.
- Proof of professional experience (minimum two years).
- Valid passport or national ID.
- CV or résumé.
- Motivation letter explaining career goals and programme relevance.
- Any additional documents requested in the online form.
Selection Process
ARES International Training Scholarships 2026–2027 selection process is competitive and involves:
- Verification of eligibility based on residency, academic qualifications, and work experience.
- Assessment of academic performance and motivation.
- Consideration of how the applicant’s training aligns with the development priorities of their home country.
- Final decisions made by the Jury.
Scholarship Duration
The duration of the ARES International Training Scholarships 2026–2027 depends on the chosen programme:
- Specialised bachelor’s & master’s programmes: Up to 12 months.
- Continuing training programmes: Between 2 and 6 months.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the ARES International Training Scholarships 2026–2027 is Friday, 19 September 2025 at 12:00 pm (Belgian time, UTC+1).
