Hey future globetrotter! 👋 Are you a student dreaming of an international adventure that combines academics with real-world experience? Get ready, because the incredible Académie de recherche et d’enseignement supérieur (ARES) Travel Bursary for 2026 could be your ticket to global mobility! This bursary is designed to help students like you gain invaluable international exposure, expand your horizons, and make a real impact.
The ARES Travel Bursary, officially known as the ARES Travel Scholarship, is all about giving you a unique international mobility experience. It allows students to conduct research or complete an internship in a work placement in one of 31 ARES partner countries across Africa, South America, and Asia. Imagine diving into your dissertation research in a vibrant new culture or gaining professional experience abroad – this bursary helps make it possible. It’s not just about your studies; it’s also about experiencing interculturality and strengthening your sense of global citizenship!
Who Can Apply?
Think this sounds like you? Here are the main eligibility criteria you need to meet:
- You must be enrolled in a Master’s degree (MA), specialised Master’s degree (MS) or Bachelor’s degree (BAC). If you’re a Bachelor’s student, you need to have earned at least 120 credits at the time of your departure.
- Your international stay (whether for research or an internship) must be credited in ECTS in your student curriculum.
- You can only receive this scholarship once during the same cycle of study.
- Your departure for the mobility program needs to happen between 1 January and 31 August 2026.
- Your stay must be covered by an official contract or agreement between you, your institution, and the host organisation.
- You must have authorisation from your institution and comply with their instructions for mobility.
- Good news for South Africa: South Africa is one of the 31 ARES partner countries, alongside nations like Kenya, Morocco, Peru, Vietnam, and many others. This means a mobility experience in South Africa is possible, or if you meet the other criteria, you could travel to one of these exciting locations!
For a complete list of all eligibility conditions, please refer to page 4 of the official call for applications document.
What Does It Cover?
This bursary aims to ease your financial burden during your international adventure:
- A “travel allowance” to help you cover the cost of your plane ticket.
- A supplementary allowance if you are already a recipient of a study allowance from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
How to Apply?
Ready to take the leap? Here’s what you’ll need to prepare for your application:
- A personalised cover letter that really highlights why you’re the perfect candidate for this international experience.
- A transcript of your grades for the last full academic year you completed before submitting your application.
- A signed letter of recommendation from your academic supervisor in Belgium. (Yes, this is a key requirement, so make sure you connect with your supervisor!)
Remember, the application deadline is 7 November 2025. Don’t leave it until the last minute!
Once you’ve submitted your application, here’s a quick timeline of what to expect:
- 24 November – 5 December 2025: Scholarship recipients are selected.
- From 9 December 2025: All applicants will be notified about the status of their application.
- 1 January to 31 August 2026: Mobility programmes are scheduled to begin.
For more detailed information and to access the application forms, make sure to visit the official ARES website:
Visit the Official Webpage of the ARES Travel Scholarships
If exploring new cultures, advancing your research, or completing an internship abroad sounds like your dream, then don’t miss this incredible chance! Apply for the ARES Travel Bursary 2026 and take the first step towards an unforgettable international experience. And while you’re here, why not explore more amazing bursaries on Bursaries Room that could fund your future?
