2024 ARES Scholarships For Developing Countries [Study-In-Belgium]

ARES Scholarships offers the chance to pursue an advanced bachelor’s or master’s degree programme or a 2-to-6-month continuing education course within a higher education institution of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Belgium.

Are you a national of an ARES partner country? Do you have a higher education degree?

Do you have professional experience and would you like to deepen your skills in a development-related topic? Then this scholarship is for you.

SCHOLARSHIP AT A GLANCE:

Criteria Details
Purpose To pursue an advanced bachelor’s, master’s degree, or a 2-to-6-month continuing education course in Belgium.
Eligible Programs Advanced bachelor’s, master’s, and continuing education courses in fields such as aquaculture, health, food technology, economics, international development, GIS, IT, agriculture, environment, human rights, microfinance, etc.
Eligible Countries Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cuba, DR Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Guinea, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.
Requirements – National, resident, and working in an eligible country
– Hold a diploma comparable to a graduate-level (Bac+5) for advanced masters and continuing education courses or undergraduate-level (Bac+3) for advanced bachelors
– Maximum of 20 years since the degree was obtained
– Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in an ARES partner country
– Language proficiency in the course language, with French being advantageous for integration
– Apply for only one course
Number of Awards 130 Bachelor’s and Master’s scholarships and 70 continuing education scholarships
Duration – Advanced bachelor’s and master’s degrees: 1 academic year
– Continuing education programs: 2 to 6 months
Reward Covers international travel, living allowance, registration fees, visa costs, insurance, etc.
Application Process Create a GIRAF account online and complete the scholarship application form.
Application Deadline October 18, 2024

Fact About The ARES Scholarships

  1. A Gateway to Europe: Studying in Belgium through the ARES Scholarship isn’t just about getting a degree—it’s about stepping into the heart of Europe. The Wallonia-Brussels Federation’s institutions are strategically located, offering you the chance to explore Europe’s rich cultural heritage while pursuing your studies.
  2. World-Class Education: Belgium is home to some of the most prestigious universities and higher education institutions in the world. The ARES Scholarship gives you access to cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art facilities, and expert faculty who are leaders in their fields.
  3. Focus on Development: ARES Scholarships are tailored for professionals from developing countries, focusing on courses that have a direct impact on global development. Whether it’s in the fields of health, agriculture, microfinance, or human rights, the courses are designed to equip you with skills that can change the world.
  4. Diverse and Inclusive: The institutions under the Wallonia-Brussels Federation boast a vibrant international community. Students from all over the world come to Belgium to study, creating a rich, multicultural environment that fosters global perspectives and networks.
  5. Financial Independence: The ARES Scholarship covers not just your tuition but also living expenses, travel costs, and health insurance. This means you can fully focus on your studies without worrying about financial constraints.
  6. Career-Boosting Opportunities: Graduating from a Belgian institution with an ARES Scholarship under your belt is a major career booster. Belgium’s educational credentials are recognized worldwide, giving you a competitive edge in the global job market.
  7. Practical and Hands-On Learning: The courses offered under the ARES Scholarships emphasize practical, hands-on learning. Whether it’s in a lab, in the field, or through internships, you’ll gain real-world experience that can be immediately applied in your home country.
  8. Language Advantage: Studying in Belgium often offers the unique advantage of learning or improving your French or Dutch, two languages that are not only widely spoken in Europe but also in many parts of Africa and the world. This linguistic skill can open even more doors in your professional life.
  9. A Green and Sustainable Environment: Belgium is known for its commitment to sustainability and green living. The campuses of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are often set in picturesque environments with a strong emphasis on eco-friendly practices, making it an ideal place to study and live.
  10. Networking with Global Change-Makers: By studying in Belgium under an ARES Scholarship, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with peers and professionals who are passionate about making a difference in the world. These connections can lead to lifelong collaborations and friendships that transcend borders.

Details For ARES Scholarships For Developing Countries

The ARES scholarships offer you the opportunity to follow a one-year advanced bachelor’s or master’s degree program or a 2-to-6-month continuing education program within a higher education institution of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in Belgium.

Eligible Bachelors, Masters, and continuing education courses in the fields of aquaculture, health, food technology, economics, international development, GIS, information technology, agriculture, environment, human rights, microfinance, etc.

See the complete list of eligible courses at the official website.

Requirements For ARES Scholarships For Developing Countries

To be considered for the Scholarship, you must:

  1. national, reside and work in one of the following countries: Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Guinea (Conakry), Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam and Zimbabwe
  2. Hold a diploma comparable to a graduate level degree (300 credits ECTS) from Belgian university studies for advanced masters and countinuing education courses (equivalent to Bac+5); Hold a diploma comparable to a undergraduate level degree (180 credits ECTS) for advanced bachelors (equivalent to Bac+3). The candidate must have held the relevant academic degree for a maximum of 20 years at the time of the start of the course. This maximum period is increased by one year by childbirth and/or adoption.
  3. Possess relevant professional experience in a ARES partner country of at least two years after graduate studies for advanced bachelors, after postgraduate studies for advanced masters and countinuing education courses.
  4. Complete the application in the language in which the training is given and can attest a good written and spoken knowledge of it. Moreover, knowing a minimum of French allows for a good integration into daily life in Belgium.
  5. Apply for only one training course.

Applicants should not obtain prior admission to one of the French-speaking institution in Belgium in order to be considered for ARES scholarship.

Number of Awards For ARES Scholarships For Developing Countries

130 Bachelor’s and Masters scholarships and 70 continuing education scholarships are available.

Duration For ARES Scholarships For Developing Countries

  • Advanced bachelor’s and master’s degrees are inter-institutional training programmes organized in one academic year and at the end of which an academic degree is awarded.
  • Continuing education programs are more practical and of shorter duration (2 to 6 months). They deliver a certificate

Eligible Countries For ARES Scholarships For Developing Countries

Nationals of Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Guinea (Conakry), Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

Reward For ARES Scholarships For Developing Countries

The scholarship covers international travel expenses, living allowance, registration fees, visa costs, insurance, etc.

How To Apply For ARES Scholarships For Developing Countries

To apply for the scholarship, you must create a GIRAF account online and complete the scholarship application form. Applications must be submitted before by 18 October, 2024 at 12pm (Belgian time, UTC+1)

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) to access the application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.