The ARES Scholarships 2025-2026 are fully funded opportunities for international students. These awards are available for undergraduate, master’s, and training programs in Belgium, covering international travel expenses, a monthly living allowance of €1,150, an arrival allowance, tuition fees, and a €700 return allowance.

The ARES Scholarships are specifically open to students from developing countries who wish to pursue master’s-level studies in Belgium. The Academy of Research and Higher Education (ARES) is a public-interest organization funded by the Federation of Wallonie-Bruxelles, created under the “Landscape” decree of November 7, 2013. It brings together 127 higher education institutions, coordinating their activities and encouraging collaboration.

Scholarships for master’s and training programs allow students to enroll in either a one-year specialized master’s degree or a 4–6 month advanced training course at a higher education institution within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate / Masters / Training

• Institution(s): ARES

• Study in: Belgium

• Program Period:

  • 4 Years for Undergraduate Degree Program.

  • 1 Year for Master’s Degree Program.

  • 4 to 6 Months for the Internship / Training Program.

• Deadline: The next call will be launched in 8 January 2026

Applications are now open for the VLIR-UOS Scholarships 2025-2026, one of the most prestigious fully funded opportunities for students from developing countries. In this article, we provide detailed information about the scholarship, its financial coverage, eligibility, and the step-by-step application process.

The VLIR-UOS (Flemish Interuniversity Council – University Development Cooperation) funds students from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to pursue Master’s and Training Programs at Flemish universities in Belgium. The scholarship’s goal is to support sustainable development by empowering talented students and professionals who can contribute to positive change in their home countries.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Master’s & Short Training Programs

• Institution(s): Flemish Universities in Belgium (KU Leuven, Ghent University, University of Antwerp, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Hasselt University, etc.)

• Country: Belgium

• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded

• Deadline: Depends on program (typically February–March 2025)

The Master Mind Scholarship is designed to attract outstanding international students to pursue a Master’s degree program at leading Flemish universities and university colleges in Belgium. It provides a fully funded package, combining a tuition waiver and a generous grant, making higher education in Belgium accessible for talented students worldwide.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Master’s degree

• Institution(s): Flemish Universities (KU Leuven, Ghent University, University of Antwerp, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Hasselt University, and others) Study in Flanders

• Country: Belgium

• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded

• Duration: 1–2 years (depending on Master’s program)

• Deadline: February–April 2025 (varies by institution)

The KU Leuven Science@Leuven Scholarship 2025-2026 is a fully funded award for international students applying to Master’s programs. The scholarship provides €12,000 to cover tuition fees, health and insurance costs, and living expenses during the study period.

The scholarship is offered by the Faculty of Science at KU Leuven in collaboration with its alumni association, Science@Leuven. It is aimed at highly motivated and talented international students who wish to enroll in an international Master’s program within the Faculty of Science.

Founded in 1425, KU Leuven has been a leading center of learning for nearly six centuries. Today, it stands as Belgium’s highest-ranked university and one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Europe, known for its world-class teaching and innovative research.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Masters

• Institution(s): The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

• Study in: Belgium

• Courses Offered:
  — Master of Physics
  — Master of Chemistry
  — Master of Geography
  — Master of Statistics
  — Interuniversity Master of Geology
  For more information click here.

• Deadline: February 15, 2025

The Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships aim to support excellent PhD candidates, especially from developing countries, who want to pursue high-quality doctoral research at Ghent University. Through initiatives such as the BOF Doctoral Scholarships for Candidates from Developing Countries, Ghent University strengthens international academic collaboration and promotes research with global impact.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: PhD (Doctoral Research)

• Institution: Ghent University

• Country: Belgium

• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded

• Duration: 4 years (24 months at Ghent University + 24 months at the candidate’s home university, for BOF program)

• Deadline: February 2025-2026 (exact dates announced on official site)

The University of Liège (ULiège), a top-ranked public research university in Belgium, offers fully funded scholarships primarily through the ARES (Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur) Scholarship Program for Master’s students from developing countries, and doctoral research grants for PhD students. These scholarships aim to promote academic excellence, international collaboration, and sustainable development.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Master’s & PhD

• Institution: University of Liège (ULiège)

• Country: Belgium

• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded (via ARES & research contracts)

• Deadline: January–February 2025 (for ARES Scholarships), PhD deadlines vary by faculty

The VUB Scholarships for the European Master of Science in Photonics are available to international students. The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) offers several fully funded scholarships worth €10,000 per year, helping to cover living expenses while studying in Brussels.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel, located in the heart of Europe, is an internationally recognized institution committed to providing high-quality education and research. VUB’s mission is to contribute to building a stronger future through innovative learning and global engagement. During the admissions process, applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate their technical skills, and scholarship requests are assessed based on merit and motivation.

In addition, the Brussels Photonics Research Group (B-PHOT) at VUB provides Excellence Scholarships to talented students in the MSc Photonics program. These awards are offered automatically — no separate application is required. Recipients must complete their MSc thesis at VUB B-PHOT, and top-performing students may also be encouraged to pursue a PhD in Photonics at the university.

The VUB B-PHOT Excellence Scholarships are open to new international students who demonstrate academic excellence, research potential, and dedication to advancing knowledge in the field of photonics.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Masters

• Institution(s): Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Study in: Belgium

• Deadline: March 31, 2026 / July 31, 2025