ARES Scholarships 2025-2026 for International Students in Belgium

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Are you dreaming of pursuing your Bachelor’s or Master’s studies in Belgium? Now is the perfect time to apply! The call for applications for the ARES scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open.

These prestigious scholarships offer you the opportunity to enroll in a bachelor’s program, a one-year specialized master’s program, or even take a continuing education course lasting 2 to 6 months at one of the institutions in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. Beyond obtaining high-level academic qualifications, these scholarships are designed to enhance your professional skills, enabling you to play a key role in the development of your home country.

The Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (ARES) is the official body that coordinates higher education in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Belgium. It brings together universities, colleges, and higher art schools to harmonize training, ensure program quality, and promote scientific research. ARES also plays a crucial role in international cooperation by offering scholarships and supporting development projects, enabling students from around the world to benefit from quality education and contribute to global progress.

ARES Scholarships at a Glance

LEVEL: Bachelor, Specialized Master, Continuing Education.
DEADLINE: August 13 to October 18, 2024.
FUNDING: Full coverage.
ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES: 31 partner countries.

Eligibility Criteria for ARES Scholarships

To be eligible for an ARES scholarship, the candidate must:

• Hold the nationality, reside, and work in one of the 31 eligible countries (list below);
• Be a holder of:
  • A diploma equivalent to a second cycle degree (300 ECTS credits) in Belgian university education for specialized masters and continuing education courses;
  • A diploma equivalent to a first cycle degree (180 ECTS credits) in Belgian higher education for specialized bachelors.
• Demonstrate a relevant professional experience of at least two years in a partner country of ARES.

Eligible Countries for ARES Scholarships

ARES scholarships are open to candidates residing and working in one of the following 31 partner countries:

• In Africa: South Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda, DR Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zimbabwe.
• In South America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru.
• In Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam.
• In Asia: Palestinian Territories.

ARES Scholarships Amount and Benefits

ARES scholarships include the following:

• International travel expenses in economy class.
• Living allowance.
• Special expenses related to visa applications (only for bachelor’s and specialized master’s programs).
• Indirect mission costs (only for continuing education courses).
• Insurance costs.

Programs Eligible for ARES Scholarships 2025

Specialized Bachelor’s:

1. Specialized Bachelor in Business Data Analysis

Specialized Master’s:

1. Specialized Master in Human Rights
2. Specialized Master in Risk and Disaster Management in the Anthropocene Era
3. Specialized Master in Integrated Health Risk Management
4. Specialized Master in International and Development Economics
5. European Microfinance Programme
6. Specialized Master in Public Health Methodology
7. Specialized Master in Public Health Sciences – Analysis and Evaluation of International Health Policies, Programs, and Systems
8. Specialized Master in Transport and Logistics
9. Specialized Master in Social Innovation Design
10. Specialized Master in Water-Energy-Food Nexus

Continuing Education:

1. University Certificate in Data Science for Global Health
2. International Training in Digital University Pedagogy
3. Interuniversity and Interdisciplinary Certificate in Transitional Justice
4. Continuing Education – Understanding and Managing the Human Dimensions of Sustainable Development Projects
5. Continuing Education in Quality Assurance and Quality Control of Medicines and Health Products
6. Continuing Education in Free Geographic Information Systems

Duration of Programs Covered by ARES Scholarships

The duration of programs funded by ARES scholarships varies depending on the type of training:

• Bachelor’s and specialized master’s programs: Maximum of 12 months.
• Continuing education programs: 2 to 6 months maximum.

Application Process

The application procedure for ARES scholarships is exclusively online via the GIRAF platform. The application period runs from August 13 to October 18, 2024.

Applying for an ARES scholarship is free of charge. ARES does not require any fees at any stage of the application or selection process.

ARES will notify selected candidates, reserve candidates, and non-selected candidates via email by June 2025 at the latest, following the various stages of the application processing.

Required Documents

Below is a list of mandatory documents for applying for an ARES scholarship:

1. (2) letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional).
2. Certified copies of original diplomas.
3. Certified copies of original transcripts for all years of study.
4. Proof of employment for the past 5 years.
5. Certificate of nationality or copy of passport.
6. Pre-project (for certain programs).

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship, contact ARES via [email protected].

If you have questions about the content of a program, contact the relevant persons listed for that program on the ARES website.

Tips for a Successful Application

Competition for ARES scholarships is high, so it is essential to prepare a strong application. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

• Carefully prepare your documents: Ensure that all your documents (diplomas, letters of recommendation, etc.) are well-prepared, translated if necessary, and meet the specific requirements of the program.
• Show your commitment to development: ARES programs focus on international development. Highlight your experiences and commitment in this area.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Candidates must submit their applications by October 13, 2024, at 12:00 PM. Results will be announced in June 2025.

For more information, please visit the official ARES scholarship program website.

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