Cost implications: For candidates from Nigeria, Kenya, Philippines, Vietnam or other partner countries, this means you can access a European master’s/training without incurring personal debt. With full travel, tuition and living allowance covered, your only investment may be time and effort.

Key takeaway: If you meet eligibility, preparing a strong application for ARES is highly worthwhile. The financing is comprehensive and the field options are broad enough to suit engineering or mobility-oriented candidates as well as development experts.

Key Insights for Applicants from Africa & Asia

Applying successfully requires more than filling a form—it requires strategy and preparation. Here are some key insights to increase your chances:

1. Work experience matters: ARES expects applicants to have at least two years’ relevant professional experience in a partner country. Generic student profiles (fresh graduates) are less competitive.

2. Select a programme that aligns with your home-country development context: For example: if you’re from Nigeria, a master’s in “Transport & Logistics” or “Risk & Disaster Management in the Global South” could link directly to national infrastructure or urban mobility agenda.

3. Language preparation: Although many programmes may be taught in English, some expect or value French competency (especially since the host region is Wallonia-Brussels). If you have French skills or intend to acquire them, highlight that.

4. Strong narrative of development commitment: ARES puts emphasis on “development related topics” and expects you to bring your training back to your home country. Your statement should clearly articulate how you will use your knowledge to contribute to national/regional development.

5. Resume & references count: Your professional track record, leadership potential and relevance to the field matter. Secure two strong recommendation letters (professional and/or academic) well in advance.

6. Meet formal eligibility completely: Application rejection due to a missing document or unmet criterion is common. Double-check age limits, professional experience, country of residence/ nationality, academic credentials and application deadline.

7. Use the online system effectively: ARES uses their GIRAF platform for applications. Create your account early, fill in details and ensure your application is submitted before the deadline.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Here is a beginner-friendly roadmap to apply for the ARES Scholarship in Belgium.

Step 1 – Review eligibility & gather baseline data (1-2 months before application opens)

• Check your nationality, residence, work experience, field of study and age eligibility (e.g., under a certain age if specified).

• Confirm your diploma is equivalent to the required cycle (for masters: Bac+5 or equivalent).

• Prepare your professional résumé highlighting at least two years’ relevant experience.

• Research the list of specialised programmes on the ARES website (Engineering, Transport & Logistics, Development Economics, Microfinance, etc.).

• Decide which programme best aligns with your career and home-country development context.

Step 2 – Create your online account & track deadlines (as soon as call opens)

• When the call opens (for 2026-2027, it opens 4 August 2025 according to the official site) create your GIRAF account.

• Set reminders: Final deadline 19 September 2025 at 12pm (Belgian time, UTC+1).

• Make sure you have enough time to prepare all documents; late submissions will not be considered.

Step 3 – Choose your programme & request admission/pre-approval if required

• Select only one programme per application year (the ARES rules state you may apply only once).

• Some courses may require separate admission to the Belgian institution—check if your programme needs both admission and scholarship application.

• Gather full programme details: is it taught in English or French? How long is it? What are the curriculum and the institutional partners? Highlight mobility or engineering specialisation if your intention is to study in engineering/mobility context.

Step 4 – Document preparation (3-4 weeks)

Prepare the following:

• Certified copies of academic diplomas and transcripts (translated into language required, if applicable).

• Two letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional) – ensure they speak to your leadership potential, relevance of your experience, and how you will use the training.

• Proof of professional experience: employment letters, work contracts, CV.

• Statement of purpose (see next section) linking your goals, the programme and development impact.

• Proof of nationality, residence and work in an eligible partner country.

• Completed application form (via GIRAF) and any additional questionnaire (mobility/engineering emphasised).

• Optional: proof of French or English language competency (if required by the programme).

• Ensure all documents are correctly named and scanned in required format.

Step 5 – Write your statement of purpose (SOP) – One strong narrative

Your statement should cover these elements:

• Opening: Brief introduction of you, your country and your professional background (engineering/mobility/development).

• Why this programme: Why choose the specific master’s/training in Belgium (e.g., “Transport & Logistics for Development” or “Engineering for Mobility in Emerging Countries”).

• Relevance: How the skills you will acquire will be applied in your home country (Nigeria, Kenya, Bangladesh, etc.) and contribute to development or mobility sector.

• Past experience: Highlight your two+ years professional work in relevant field.

• Career goal & impact: Where you plan to be post-study, how you will contribute: e.g., developing sustainable transport systems, solving mobility infrastructure bottlenecks, engineering cleaner systems.

• Why Belgium & ARES: What the Belgium experience and ARES scholarship mean for you.

• Closing: A concise, forward-looking sentence on how you will reciprocate and contribute.

Step 6 – Budget & living plan (if required)

Although ARES covers tuition, travel and allowance, you may still need to show how you will manage and make best use of the allowance. If there’s an optional budget section:

• Indicate you understand cost of living in Belgium (rent, transport, food) and plan accordingly.

• Travel allowances: Route from home country to Belgium; note you will use economy-class flight as per rules.

• Mention extra activities (seminars, mobility visit) aligning with your programme.

Step 7 – Submit & track application

• Submit via the GIRAF platform before deadline. Late submissions are generally not accepted.

• After submission, keep your GIRAF account credentials and check for updates.

• Some shortlisted applicants may be asked for additional documents or interview—be prepared.

Step 8 – Wait for evaluation, prepare for pre-departure (if selected)

• Results are typically communicated by June following the academic call (e.g., June 2026 for 2026-2027 call)

• If you receive the scholarship, you will receive instructions for visa, travel, orientation, arrival in Belgium and registration.

• Before departure: familiarise yourself with Belgium, cost of living, health & insurance, and start making contacts in your host institution.

Step 9 – Stay focused and deliver on scholarship objectives

• Once in Belgium: engage actively in your programme, participate in mobility/training opportunities, network widely.

• Plan your post-study career: return to home country and apply your new skills; ARES expects scholarship recipients to contribute to their home country’s development.

• Keep connections with home institutions, mobility networks, development agencies.

Eligibility – Quick Facts

• Applicants must be nationals of the eligible partner countries and reside/work in one.

• Diploma: For specialised master’s/training courses, you must hold a degree comparable to Bac+5 or 300 ECTS.

• Professional Experience: At least two years of relevant experience in a partner country.

• Language: Courses are taught in English or French; some programmes ask for proof of language competence or commitment to learn French.

• Age: Some calls set age limits (check current call document).

• Application: Only one application per year; programmes have exact deadlines.

What the Scholarship Covers & Financial Benefits

• Tuition fees: For advanced bachelor/masters programmes (where applicable).

• Living allowance: Approximately €1,150/month (varies by programme) for 12 months (or pro-rated for training programmes).

• Economy-class round-trip airfare: One return ticket per academic year.

• Visa, insurance, registration fees: These are covered or reimbursed under the scholarship.

• Continuing training options (2–6 months): For short professional development courses, the allowance model and travel are adjusted (e.g., daily allowance part-time).

This means you can study in Belgium without any personal financial investment—which is rare and especially valuable for candidates from Africa and Asia.

Key Insights & Real-World Applications

There are several ways you can design your project/career narrative to make full use of this scholarship:

1. Focus on mobility & engineering for development: For instance, if you come from Nigeria, you might propose a master’s in “Transport & Logistics” or “Engineering for Sustainable Mobility in Emerging Regions”. With Nigeria’s urban growth and infrastructure demand, such expertise is immediately relevant.

2. Link your home-country need to the scholarship field: Suppose you are an engineer working on sustainable transport in Accra or Lagos; your statement might highlight that after your training in Belgium you will lead a project to implement integrated mobility systems in your home city.

3. Dual language advantage: If you know some French (or are willing to learn), you widen your eligible programme range and show commitment to integration.

4. Highlight professional experience: Since the scholarship expects experience, emphasise real projects you led, teams you worked with, or impact you achieved.

5. Post-study return plan: ARES expects you to bring your skills back. So craft a clear return-home plan: what position you will take, what project you will implement, how your training benefits your organisation/community.

Your Statement of Purpose — A Simple Strong Structure

Here’s a ready-to-use structure you can adapt for your application.

Paragraph 1: Who you are & what you’ve done
“ I am [Name], a civil engineer from [Country] with 3 years’ professional experience in urban transport planning for [City/Organisation]. I have worked on [project example], coordinating [activities].”

Paragraph 2: Why this scholarship & programme
“I am applying for the ARES Scholarship to pursue the [Specialised Master in Transport & Logistics] at [Institution, Belgium]. This programme’s modules in sustainable mobility systems, logistics optimisation, and development-oriented engineering align perfectly with my career goal.”

Paragraph 3: Relevance to home country & development contributions
“In [Country], urban mobility represents one of the greatest infrastructure challenges. By completing this programme, I will bring back advanced skills to implement integrated transport solutions in [City], improving commuter efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing economic access.”

Paragraph 4: Career plan & return home
“After graduation, I intend to join [Organisation/Agency] as [Position] and lead a pilot project on multimodal transport corridors in [City]. With Belgian networks and knowledge, I plan to establish a centre of excellence in sustainable mobility for West Africa.”

Paragraph 5: Why Belgium & ARES
“Belgium – particularly the Wallonia-Brussels higher education sector – offers high-quality, international programmes taught in English/french, and the ARES fully-funded scholarship enables me to focus fully on learning and networking rather than financial constraints.”

Paragraph 6: Commitment and conclusion
“I commit to returning to my home country and contributing actively to its development by applying the skills gained. I thank the ARES Committee for this opportunity and look forward to contributing to the mobility and engineering sector in [Country].”

Common Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them