ARES Belgium Travel Scholarships 2026 Open

For students eager to broaden their horizons and gain international exposure, the Travel Scholarships 2026 call is officially open! This highly valued program provides students from higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB) with the chance to engage in meaningful academic, research, or internship experiences abroad between 1 January and 31 August 2026.

With a focus on promoting cultural exchange and academic cooperation, the scholarships support students traveling to 31 partner countries worldwide, covering regions in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond. If you are motivated to strengthen your academic journey while immersing yourself in another culture, this is the perfect opportunity.

Purpose of the Travel Scholarships

The Travel Scholarships are designed to:

• Encourage international academic mobility among Belgian students.
• Support collaborative projects, research, and internships with partner institutions abroad.
• Offer financial assistance to cover part of the travel costs, ensuring mobility remains accessible to students of all backgrounds.

Coverage of Travel Scholarship by ARES

The Travel Scholarship provides:

1. A travel allowance to contribute toward the cost of airfare.
2. A supplementary allowance for students who already receive a study allowance from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

This financial support ensures students can focus on their academic goals while exploring international opportunities.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to students who:

• Are enrolled in a Bachelor’s (with at least 120 ECTS credits completed), Master’s (MA), or Specialized Master’s (MS) program at a higher education institution in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
• Have official authorization from their home institution and comply with its mobility guidelines.
• Plan a stay abroad that is formally integrated into their academic program (through ECTS credits) – whether it’s part of a dissertation, final project, or internship.
• Have not previously received this scholarship during the same cycle of study.

Eligible Countries for ARES Travel Scholarship 2026

Students can apply for mobility programs in one of the 31 ARES partner countries, which include: Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Benin, Cuba, Uganda, Indonesia, Mozambique, Haiti, Peru, Senegal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, Ecuador, Tanzania, Cameroon, Philippines, Bolivia, Palestinian Territory, Niger, Cambodia, South Africa, Republic of Guinea, Mali, Madagascar, Nepal, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Vietnam.

Application Requirements

To apply, students must prepare and submit the following:

• A personalized cover letter explaining the purpose of their stay and its academic relevance.
• A transcript of grades for the most recently completed academic year.
• A signed recommendation letter from their academic supervisor in Belgium.

Applications must be submitted online through the GIRAF platform. Access to the application form is provided by ARES to each institution, which then communicates it directly to eligible students along with instructions.

Important Dates and Selection Timeline

The application window for the Travel Scholarships 2026 will close on 7 November 2025. Shortly after, the selection process will take place from 24 November to 5 December 2025, during which eligible candidates will be evaluated. Results will then be communicated, with applicants being notified of their status from 9 December 2025 onwards.

Successful candidates will begin their international mobility programs any time between 1 January and 31 August 2026, depending on their individual project or internship schedule.

Why Apply?

The Travel Scholarships 2026 are not only a chance to receive financial support but also an opportunity to:

• Enhance your academic profile with international research and project experience.
• Develop intercultural understanding and adaptability by living abroad.
• Build long-lasting academic and professional networks in your host country.

Final Words

For students in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the Travel Scholarships 2026 represent a golden chance to take learning beyond borders. If you dream of working on your dissertation in Rwanda, interning in Vietnam, or conducting research in South Africa, now is the time to take action.

Mark your calendars and prepare your documents — the last date to apply is Friday, 7 November 2025. Don’t miss this chance to make your academic journey truly international.