ARES Scholarships 2027/28
Study in Belgium for Free
What if your next academic opportunity could take you from Ethiopia to Belgium?
What if you could gain specialized international training, develop practical skills, build a global professional network, and return home better prepared to contribute to your community and profession?
The ARES Scholarships 2027–2028 provide talented professionals and graduates from eligible developing countries with the opportunity to undertake specialized higher education and international training programmes in Belgium.
For Ethiopian applicants, this opportunity deserves special attention. Ethiopia is among the countries eligible for ARES international training scholarships, and the current eligibility information specifies opportunities for Ethiopian applicants in English-language training courses.
This means that ARES is not simply another scholarship to add to your list. It can be an opportunity to acquire specialized knowledge and professional skills that can be taken back to Ethiopia and applied to real development challenges.
If you have the qualifications, professional experience, and determination to grow, Belgium could be your next classroom.
Watch the Video for the application Process and Apply Now!
1. Brief About the Scholarship
The ARES (Académie de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur) is the Academy of Research and Higher Education of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium. Through its international cooperation programmes, ARES supports higher education and capacity development between institutions in Belgium and partner countries.
The ARES Scholarships – International Training 2027–2028 are designed for applicants from selected developing countries who want to undertake specialized training in Belgium.
ARES scholarships have historically included opportunities at different postgraduate levels, including specialized Master's programmes, specialized Bachelor's programmes, and continuing education/training courses. However, eligibility is not identical for every country.
Important for Ethiopian Applicants
Ethiopia appears on the ARES partner-country list. However, the published eligibility information specifies that Ethiopian applicants are eligible for English-language training courses. Therefore, Ethiopian applicants should not assume that every ARES Master's or specialized degree programme is automatically available to them.
Always check the 2027–2028 official course list and country-specific conditions before preparing your application.
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2. Scholarship Benefits
ARES scholarships are designed to cover the major costs associated with participating in the approved programme.
Depending on the type and duration of the training, support may include:
International Travel
ARES provides support for international travel, generally covering economy-class airfare, with the applicable travel rules depending on the scholarship category.
Living Allowance
For longer programmes, the scholarship package includes a subsistence allowance. Previous ARES calls have provided a monthly living allowance of approximately €1,150 for degree programmes, while training-course allowances depend on the duration of the training.
Other Financial Support
Depending on the programme, the scholarship may also provide:
- Arrival or indirect mission allowance
- Visa-related support
- Insurance coverage
- Travel-related expenses
- Programme-related costs
- Support for inter-university training travel, where applicable
ARES states that scholarship applications are free of charge and applicants should never pay an individual or company claiming to represent ARES.
🌍 Beyond the Money
The real value of an ARES scholarship extends beyond financial support.
You gain:
- International academic exposure
- Specialized professional training
- Experience in the Belgian higher education environment
- International networking opportunities
- New professional perspectives
- Knowledge that can be applied to development challenges in Ethiopia
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3. Eligible Fields of Study
ARES programmes focus strongly on areas connected to development, capacity building, health, environment, technology, agriculture, governance, and other priority areas.
The exact programmes change from one call to another.
Previous ARES calls have included areas such as:
- Public Health
- Global Health
- Environmental Sciences
- Development Studies
- Human Rights
- Risk and Disaster Management
- Agriculture and Food Systems
- Water and Aquatic Resources
- Microfinance
- International Development Economics
- Transport and Logistics
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Sustainable Construction
- Pharmaceutical and Health Product Quality
- Health Systems Strengthening
These examples illustrate the broad development-oriented nature of ARES training opportunities.
For Ethiopian Applicants
Because the current country-specific rules are important, Ethiopian applicants should focus particularly on the English-language training programmes that explicitly accept Ethiopian nationals.
Do not select a programme simply because it appears on a general ARES scholarship list. First verify that Ethiopian applicants are eligible for that specific programme.
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4. Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements vary according to the programme, but applicants generally need to satisfy several important conditions.
For ARES international training opportunities, applicants are generally expected to:
- Be a national of an eligible partner country.
- Live and work in an eligible partner country at the time of application.
- Hold the academic qualification required for the selected programme.
- Have relevant professional experience.
- Demonstrate a strong connection between the training and their professional responsibilities or career goals.
- Meet the language requirements of the selected course.
- Be within the applicable age limit.
- Apply for only one training course where this restriction applies.
- Submit a complete application before the official deadline.
Previous official ARES documentation required applicants to have held the relevant academic degree for no more than 20 years when the course begins and to demonstrate relevant professional experience after their undergraduate or graduate studies.
⚠️ A Special Point for Ethiopian Applicants
Being Ethiopian alone does not mean that you can apply for every ARES programme.
The country-specific rules matter.
The current information identifies Ethiopia as eligible for English-language training courses, so Ethiopian applicants should carefully check the language and programme restrictions before investing time in an application.
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5. Required Documents
The exact documents depend on the selected training programme, but applicants should generally prepare:
- Valid passport or identification document
- Academic degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
- Evidence of relevant professional experience
- Employment or professional certificate, where required
- Proof of language proficiency, where applicable
- Recommendation letter(s), where required
- Any programme-specific supporting documents
⭐ Your Professional Experience Matters
ARES is not simply looking for applicants who want to travel to Belgium.
Your application should demonstrate a clear connection between:
Your education → Your professional experience → The proposed training → Your future contribution
For example, if you work in public health, agricultural development, environmental management, construction, education, or another development-related sector, explain how the training will strengthen your professional capacity and how you intend to use the knowledge after returning to Ethiopia.
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6. Application Procedure
The ARES application process is conducted online and applicants should carefully follow the instructions provided for the relevant call.
Step 1: Check the Official 2027–2028 Call
Start by visiting the official ARES scholarship page and reading the current call carefully.
Confirm:
- Whether Ethiopia is eligible
- Whether your chosen programme accepts Ethiopian applicants
- The language of instruction
- Academic requirements
- Professional experience requirements
- Age requirements
- Application deadline
Step 2: Choose an Eligible Training Course
Select a programme that closely matches your academic background and professional experience.
For Ethiopian applicants, pay particular attention to English-language training opportunities.
Step 3: Create or Access Your GIRAF Account
ARES uses the GIRAF platform for scholarship applications.
Applicants generally need a validated GIRAF account before accessing the relevant competitive call. Existing validated accounts can normally be reused.
Step 4: Prepare Your Application
Complete the application form carefully and upload the required documents.
Pay particular attention to your:
- Motivation letter
- CV
- Academic background
- Professional experience
- Explanation of how the training will contribute to your career and development impact
Step 5: Submit the Application
Once your application is complete, submit it through the official GIRAF platform before the deadline.
Do not wait until the final day.
Step 6: Selection
ARES evaluates applications according to the requirements and selection criteria of the relevant programme.
Successful candidates are notified according to the official selection process.
Read Also: 5 Smart Steps to Win a Fully Funded Scholarship
7. Important Links
- Official ARES 2027–2028 Scholarship Page: ARES International Training Scholarships 2027–2028
- Official ARES Website: ARES – Academy of Research and Higher Education
- ARES Application Platform – GIRAF: ARES GIRAF Application Platform
- ARES International Cooperation: ARES International Cooperation
- Study in Belgium – Wallonia-Brussels: Study in Belgium – Wallonia-Brussels
Conclusion
The ARES Scholarships 2027/28 offer an exciting opportunity to gain specialized international education and professional training in Belgium.
For Ethiopian professionals, the opportunity is particularly valuable because the current ARES information includes Ethiopia among the eligible countries for English-language training opportunities.
But remember: a scholarship application is not just about meeting minimum requirements.
You need to show why you deserve the opportunity and what you will do with it.
Don't simply say:
"I want to study in Belgium."
Explain:
What problem do you want to solve?
What skills do you need?
Why is this particular training important for your career?
How will you use the knowledge when you return to Ethiopia?
That is the difference between an application that simply asks for funding and an application that communicates purpose, potential, and impact.
Your journey may begin in Ethiopia, but your knowledge can travel much further.
Prepare. Apply. Learn. Return. Make an Impact.
⚠️ Important Reminder
ARES scholarship applications are free. ARES explicitly states that it does not charge applicants at any stage of the application or selection process. Be cautious of anyone asking you for money in exchange for an ARES scholarship or claiming they can guarantee selection.
Always verify the 2027/28 programme list, eligibility requirements, deadline, and application instructions directly on the official ARES website before submitting your application.
Best of luck with your application!
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