ARES (Académie de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur) / Belgian Government·Belgium

ARES Scholarships (Belgium Government)

Fully FundedBachelorMaster12-36 monthsVaries per programme

The ARES Scholarships, funded by the Belgian Government through the Académie de Recherche et d'Enseignement Supérieur, offer fully funded Bachelor's, Master's, and continuing education programmes at higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium. Open to citizens of 31 developing countries including Indonesia. Approximately 200 scholarships are awarded annually. Applicants need at least 2 years of professional experience and must apply via the GIRAF online platform. Fields cover development-related disciplines including health, agriculture, IT, economics, and human rights.

Popular Participating Universities

KU Leuven

Ghent University

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Quick info

Application status

Varies per programme

DAAD deadlines vary per program. Check the official site for the current intake window.

Belgium

Bachelor, Master

12-36 months

Aquaculture, Health, Food Technology…

Open to: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, DR Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam, Palestinian territory

Apply on official site

Opens the provider's official website

Info sourced from official providers. Always verify deadlines, requirements, and eligibility directly before applying.

What you get

Tuition fees covered (for Bachelor's and specialised Master's)
International travel expenses
Subsistence allowance (living expenses)
Registration fees
Visa costs
Insurance

Monthly: Full tuition + international travel + subsistence allowance + visa + insurance

Requirements

First degree: Required

Professional experience: Required

Minimum 2 year(s) required

Country restriction: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, DR Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam, Palestinian territory

Detailed requirements

- Permanent resident and worker in one of the 31 eligible countries (including Indonesia)
- Hold an appropriate diploma: for Master's — degree comparable to 2nd cycle (300 ECTS); for Bachelor's — 1st cycle (180 ECTS)
- Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country
- Palestinian nationals eligible even if not residing in one of the 31 countries
- Must apply via the GIRAF online platform

Who can apply

Professionals and graduates from 31 developing countries (including Indonesia) who wish to pursue Bachelor's or Master's degrees or continuing education (2–6 months) at institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium. Approximately 200 scholarships awarded per year (130 degree + 70 training).

Fields of study

AquacultureHealthFood TechnologyEconomicsInternational DevelopmentGISInformation TechnologyAgricultureEnvironmentHuman RightsMicrofinanceAnd other development-related fields — see full list on ARES website

Application window

Varies per programme

Dates are based on data sourced from official providers (2025-2026 cycle). Deadlines may shift between intake years. Always verify on the official website before applying.

Important dates

Application portal (GIRAF) opens: mid-year

Application deadline: 19 September at 12:00 PM Belgian time (UTC+1)

Selection results: typically early the following year

Course starts: September of the following academic year

How to apply

1Step 1: Create an account on the GIRAF online platform (https://myapplication.ares-ac.be/)
2Step 2: Browse eligible programmes on the ARES website and choose your programme
3Step 3: Complete the online application form and upload required documents (diplomas, transcripts, CV, motivation letter, professional experience certificates)
4Step 4: Submit before 19 September at 12:00 PM Belgian time
5Step 5: ARES reviews applications and announces results early the following year
6Step 6: If selected, complete visa and enrolment procedures for September start