Big Bets Fellowship – United States (2026 Cohort)

As part of our long-standing commitment to making opportunity universal, we established an annual Fellowship to equip leaders with the mindset and skills needed to advance solutions with breakthrough potential to connect displaced workers to work, and support efforts to build resilience in the face of past or future economic disruption.

Objective: Equip leaders to advance bold solutions addressing inequality, economic disruption, and community resilience. Program Structure:

• Virtual Programming: Weekly 90‑minute online sessions (May–August 2026)
• In‑Person Convening: Bellagio Center, Italy (week of August 23, 2026) — travel covered by Rockefeller Foundation Focus Areas:
• Creating quality jobs in underserved communities
• Workforce development and removing barriers to work (childcare, transport, etc.)
• Affordable housing, healthcare, and education pathways
• Food and health systems transformation
• Policy innovation, AI, and data access for civic institutions Candidate Profile:
• 5–15 years of professional, entrepreneurial, or community impact experience
• Deep engagement in U.S. communities
• Proven track record of meaningful change
• Courageous, collaborative, and bold in advancing new approaches

• 5–15 years of professional, entrepreneurial, or community impact experience
• Deep engagement in U.S. communities (lived experience or professional contributions)
• Proven track record of leading initiatives and achieving meaningful change
• Must join the Big Bets Community to access the application form
• Project must directly benefit communities in the United State