Bellagio Center Residency Program

This opportunity is intended for leaders with a proven track record of accomplishment and influence in their field, and for whom a Bellagio residency will accelerate progress on an important project. Strong applicants will be forward-looking with a history of advancing breakthrough ideas or actions. They should be curious, collegial, and collaborative—open to giving and receiving input and feedback from a diverse group of fellow residents. Strong applicants will also demonstrate willingness and excitement to remain active in the Bellagio Network after the residency.

Applicants must have a specific project they want to advance during the four-week residency and demonstrate how their project will be catalyzed by this unique opportunity. Projects must be bold and compelling, with significant positive social impact and breakthrough potential. Projects can include scholarly research, applied practice, or a work of art. There should be a specific output or deliverable that is meaningfully advanced during the residency period and likely to be highly influential. Projects should be timely and well-suited to benefit from the unique cross-cultural, cross-disciplinary environment of the Bellagio residency.

Applicants may submit projects that align with one of three themes: Addressing Climate Change, Reinventing Capitalism, and Promoting Well-being. A General Open Call is also available for projects in any discipline or field of study. All projects must demonstrate clear social impact and charitable purpose.

Note that projects that require access to research libraries, specialized equipment, or offsite excursions are not a good fit for this program. Residents must bring any materials needed for their project with them to the Bellagio Center.

First, submit the Pre-Application Assessment. It should take approximately five minutes to complete and is intended to assess your level of readiness for the residency program.

Once you have completed the Pre-Application Assessment, you may be invited to register and apply. The application includes several narrative questions where you will describe your professional background, your proposed project, and its intended social impact. You will also be required to submit a brief video, work samples, and two references.

Applicants should note the following two deadlines:

• The deadline to register is Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time
• The deadline to submit your application is Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time

The Pre-Application Assessment will determine your level of readiness for this program. Depending on your responses, you may be invited to register and submit an application.  

All applications will first be reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and general fit with the program. Should it pass administrative review, your application will move to an expert panel for review.  

During the expert panel review, your application will be evaluated on the following dimensions:

• Impact: Does the project feel like it could be a breakthrough, for example yielding fresh insights or significant progress, on an important issue facing our world?
• Clarity: Is there enough specificity to the project, its output, and the plan for achieving it? Is the project poised to be meaningfully advanced during a four-week residency?
• Expertise: Does the applicant demonstrate mastery suitable to their project? Are they a recognized leader with evidence of significant contributions to their field?
• Influence: Is the applicant well-positioned to influence change related to their project? Do they have access to audiences and networks that will ensure their project takes root?

Based on the results of the expert panel review, a subset of applicants will be invited to interview with Rockefeller Foundation staff.