Open Call for Bellagio Center Residency Program

Deadline: 20-Mar-2026

The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Residency Program is accepting applications from leaders, scholars, artists, and practitioners worldwide to advance high-impact projects during a 26-day residency in Lake Como, Italy. Selected residents receive room, board, a private studio, travel support, and access to a global network, with projects expected to align with key themes such as climate, health, AI for good, food systems, economic mobility, and catalytic finance.

About the Bellagio Center Residency Program

The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Residency Program offers global changemakers dedicated time and space to advance projects that can create meaningful social impact.

Held at the Bellagio Center in Lake Como, Italy, the residency brings together a small cohort of thinkers and practitioners from different disciplines to work independently while also engaging with an international peer community.

Focus Areas

The program welcomes projects connected to the Rockefeller Foundation’s priority themes, including:

• Universal Energy Abundance

• Food Systems and Nutrition

• Economic Mobility

• Health

• Artificial Intelligence for Good

• Catalytic Finance

• Climate and Development

These themes focus on solving major global challenges, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities.

What Kind of Projects Are Supported?

The program supports projects that:

• Demonstrate clear social impact

• Contribute to the betterment of humanity

• Offer novel solutions or new knowledge

• Inspire meaningful change for vulnerable populations

• Prioritize public benefit, scholarship, or charitable impact

• Are not primarily for private or commercial gain

Strong proposals may include:

• Books

• Policy briefs

• Research outputs

• Scholarly publications

• Organizational strategies

• Articles

• Creative works with public access

• Cross-sector solutions using technology or innovative finance

Who Can Apply?

The residency is open to leaders from around the world across disciplines.

Eligible applicants include:

• Academics and scholars
  (e.g., professors, researchers, scientists, think tank experts)

• Artists and writers
  (e.g., composers, poets, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists)

• Practitioners
  (e.g., nonprofit leaders, journalists, public advocates, private-sector professionals)

What They Look For

Selected residents are typically individuals who:

• Have significant achievements in their field

• Are recognized for impactful work

• Have a track record of breakthrough ideas or action

• Align with the Rockefeller Foundation’s mission

• Are curious, collaborative, and open to feedback

• Are willing to stay engaged with the Bellagio Network after the residency

Residency Benefits

Selected participants receive:

• A 26-day residency at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center

• Room and board

• A private studio/workspace

• A shared cohort of up to 14 residents

• Travel funding (amount not specified)

• Access to a global Bellagio alumni network

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is a highly prestigious opportunity for applicants whose work combines:

• Strong credibility

• Clear social impact

• Cross-disciplinary relevance

• Potential to influence systems, policy, knowledge, or culture

For researchers, writers, nonprofit leaders, and creative practitioners, it offers both time to produce meaningful work and high-level international exposure.

FAQs

1. Who can apply for the Bellagio Center Residency Program?

The program is open to leaders, scholars, artists, and practitioners from around the world.

2. Where does the residency take place?

The residency takes place at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center in Lake Como, Italy.

3. How long is the residency?

The residency lasts 26 days.

4. What support is provided?

Selected residents receive room and board, a private studio, travel funding, and access to a global peer network.

5. Are commercial projects allowed?

Projects should prioritize public benefit, scholarship, or charitable impact, rather than private or commercial gain.

6. What kinds of outputs are accepted?

Possible outputs include books, research, policy briefs, articles, strategies, and creative works that support public access and social impact.

Conclusion

The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Residency Program is an excellent opportunity for high-achieving global leaders, scholars, artists, and practitioners working on solutions to major world challenges.

For more information, visit The Rockefeller Foundation.