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2026 cohort applications are closed. Interviews were early March 2026, fellows announced mid-April 2026. Program runs May-August 2026 with Bellagio convening week of August 23.
Big Bets Fellowship: Economic Opportunity | United States is sponsored by Rockefeller Foundation. Equips leaders with the mindset and skills needed to advance solutions addressing economic opportunity challenges in underserved U. S.
communities.
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Big Bets Fellowship: United States | RF Big Bets Fellowships/ Big Bets Fellowship: Applications for the United States cohort are currently closed.
A Transformational Fellowship for a Sustainable Future 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.
Centering the United States The United States is at a critical juncture, facing both immense challenges and unprecedented opportunities that are undergirded by individual’s increased pessimism about their — and their community’s — economic prospects. Since the 1980s, economic inequality has risen steadily in the United States with income and wealth increasingly concentrated among a smaller and smaller percentage of Americans.
Moreover, nearly 50 million Americans live in distressed places, with declining job opportunities leading to a host of other challenges including poor health and educational outcomes, persistent racial and gender inequities, and the erosion of social and political trust.
However, the United States also has significant resources and capacity for transformative change, with robust research institutions, a growing green economy, and innovative policy initiatives that can drive impactful economic solutions.
The Big Bets Fellowship: United States will empower leaders across sectors to develop entrepreneurial solutions, resilient systems, and policies that seize the opportunity for growth that is good for people and the planet.
Onboarding Call: week of May 4 th , 2026 Virtual Programming: weekly 90-minute online sessions from May to August In-person Convening at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center: week of August 23 rd , 2026 Amplification Moment: Fall 2026 Travel expenses for participation in the in-person convening will be covered by The Rockefeller Foundation.
Fellows will be responsible for securing the necessary visa(s) for any travel during the course of the program. To be considered for the cohort, candidates must be working on a project that impacts one or more states in the United States of America and directly benefits the communities the applicant represents.
Fellow Selection Criteria We are looking to support leaders with bold solutions that reimagine an existing system or introduce innovative approaches to harness the know-how, assets, capacities, and energies of others to power a prosperous future for all Americans, focused on ensuring economic prosperity, stability and opportunities for communities that need it most.
While there is no single profile of a Big Bets Fellow, the following characteristics describe the individuals who are likely to thrive in the program: 5–15 years of experience driving impact through professional, entrepreneurial, or community-based work. Deep engagement in their region, reflected through lived experience, professional contributions, or community involvement.
A distinctive perspective and fresh insight into a pressing challenge, informed by both personal and professional experience. A proven track record of meaningful change, demonstrating the ability to lead initiatives and bringing together diverse stakeholders to achieve shared goals. Collaborative, curious, and community-driven, with a strong commitment to learning and contributing to the Fellowship network.
Courageous and bold, willing to challenge the status quo and advance new approaches for lasting impact. To be considered for the cohort, candidates must be working on a project that impacts one or more states in the United States of America and directly benefits the communities the applicant represents. Applicants must be members of the Big Bets Community to be eligible for the Fellowship.
Meet the 2025 Big Bets Fellows Project Selection Criteria A Big Bet is a bold, concerted effort to fundamentally solve a problem, not just make incremental improvements.
Projects may take many forms — from social innovations and policy experiments to community-based initiatives or technology-driven solutions — but all should clearly demonstrate the potential to: Create quality jobs in communities that need them through innovative approaches to economic development and entrepreneurship support; Help place low-wage workers and their families into quality jobs through innovative approaches for workforce development and removing barriers to work (e.g., transportation challenges, childcare access); Fix supply-side issues that increase the cost of living for working families, such as making it easier to build affordable housing, lower the cost of healthcare or provide quality, low-cost higher-education pathways that lead to quality jobs; Improve family supports , such as public benefits, that eligible workers and their families can access; Transform food and health systems to ensure underserved workers have access to food as medicine; OR Drive innovative solutions, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, policy innovation and data access to strengthen civic institutions, governance, and service delivery for vulnerable communities.
To learn more about the program, eligibility criteria, and focus areas, please check out the 2026 Big Bets Fellowship: United States Terms and Conditions. Read the Terms and Conditions Status: Applications are now closed for the United States cohort.
Application Launch: December 15th, 2025 Deadline for fellows to complete the Eligibility Form and Pre-Application Forms: January 12th, 2026 – 12PM EST Finalists invited to submit Full Application and schedule interviews: Early February 2026 Deadline to complete Full-Application: March 2nd, 2026 – 12 PM EST Interviews conducted: Early March Fellows announced: Mid April In the face of rising inequality, these fellows are a springboard for innovative, inclusive solutions that uplift workers and their families.
Nathalia Arcencio De Marchi dos Santos Manager, Convenings and Networks The Rockefeller Foundation Enter your Mastodon instance URL (optional) Share
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Emerging leaders working on economic opportunity solutions in underserved U. S. communities. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Big Bets Fellowship: Economic Opportunity | United States is funded by Rockefeller Foundation. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
Rockefeller Foundation Community Development Grants is sponsored by Rockefeller Foundation. The Rockefeller Foundation funds projects that promote the well-being of humanity, including economic development in underserved communities and efforts to expand opportunity for vulnerable people. Their work aims to harness technological innovation, bold new ideas, and partnerships to advance meaningful economic opportunity.
The Rockefeller Foundation launched a three-year, $100 million Good Jobs for America strategy on April 21, 2026 to help communities connect people to good jobs and adapt to rapid technological change including AI disruption. Focus sectors include healthcare and the care economy, energy transition, food systems, and AI-enabled industries. The foundation partners with local groups and policymakers to test new policies and programs including AI job training pathways, expanded childcare access, and streamlined credentialing. Plans to start with 20-30 pilot communities and scale proven approaches to 250 communities nationwide. Targets creation of 1.6 million additional good jobs and lifting approximately one-quarter of America's most distressed communities.