The Belgium Government Scholarship 2025-2026, known as the ARES Scholarships, offers fully funded opportunities for international students from developing countries to pursue undergraduate and master’s degree programmes in Belgium. These scholarships are sponsored by the Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES) and are designed to support students who need financial assistance to study in Belgium. The scholarships cover all tuition fees, living expenses, international travel, insurance, and visa costs, making it easier for students to focus on their education.

Students from developing nations who have demonstrated a strong academic background and a dedication to using their education to further the development of their home countries are eligible to apply for this prestigious scholarship. We will go over the advantages, requirements, and application procedure for the ARES Scholarships in this post.

Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: Belgium
• Host Organisation: Academy for Research and Higher Education (ARES)
• Degree Programmes: Undergraduate and Master’s
• Scholarship Coverage: Fully Funded
• Application Deadline: October 18, 2024

Scholarship Benefits:

The ARES Scholarships provide the following financial support to successful candidates:

• Economy-class travel allowance: Provided once per academic year.
• International travel allowance: A fixed amount of €200.
• Living allowance: A 12-month living stipend for advanced bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes.
• Monthly allowance: Financial support provided during the studies.
• Continuing education allowance: Dependent on the duration of the course.
• Insurance costs: Full coverage of insurance during the programme.
• Tuition fees: Complete coverage of tuition costs.

Eligible Countries:

The ARES Scholarships are open to students from the following countries:

• Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam
• Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe
• Middle East: Palestinian Territory
• Latin America: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the ARES Scholarships 2025-2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Nationality: Must be a national of one of the 31 eligible countries.
• Residency: Applicants must reside and work in one of the eligible countries.
• Educational Qualifications:
  • For specialised master’s and continuing education courses, applicants must hold a diploma equivalent to a second-cycle diploma from a Belgian university.
  • For specialisation courses, applicants must hold a diploma equivalent to a first-cycle diploma from Belgian higher education.
• Professional Experience: Must demonstrate at least two years of relevant professional experience in one of the ARES partner countries.

Required Documents:

Applicants are required to submit the following documents as part of the application process:

1. Two recommendation letters: written by professors or professionals who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications and readiness for the programme.
2. Certified Copies of Diplomas: Copies of original diplomas must be certified.
3. Proof of Nationality: A certificate of nationality or a copy of the passport.
4. Pre-Project Proposal: A detailed explanation of how the applicant plans to use their education to contribute to the development of their home country.

Application Process:

Here’s how to apply for the ARES Scholarship 2025-2026:

1. Create a GIRAF Account: Applicants must first create an account on the GIRAF platform to apply for the scholarship.
   • GIRAF Platform Registration
2. Fill Out the Application Form: Complete the application form online by clicking on “Application for international training.” The form can be filled out in multiple sessions.
3. Submit the Application: Once the application form is complete, click Submit my application to send it for review.
4. View Your Submitted File: After submission, you can view your file in the “My Submitted Files” section but you will not be able to modify it.

Important Notes:

• Applications submitted after the October 18, 2024 deadline will not be considered.
• Only complete applications will be reviewed.
• Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow the application guidelines to ensure their submission is successful.

Apply Online 

Official Website