Apply for Rockefeller Foundation Big Bets Fellowship 2026 United States: National Fellowship for Leaders Building Economic Resilience

If you design bold community-first solutions to economic disruption — programs that reconnect displaced workers to jobs, policies that shore up local economies, or enterprises that create opportunity in places others have given up on — the Rockefeller Foundation Big Bets Fellowship could be the kind of platform that accelerates your work. This is not a grant-for-resources only. It’s a selective fellowship that brings people together, sharpens strategy, and gives you a national stage and network to scale impact across states.

The deadline is January 12, 2026. The foundation pays for travel to the in-person convening. You must join the Big Bets Community to be eligible. Read on for a thorough walkthrough: who should apply, what the fellowship offers, how selection works, what reviewers care about, and exactly how to prepare a competitive application.

Quick snapshot At a Glance

Why this fellowship matters now — a brisk introduction

The United States is at a crossroads. Economic inequality has widened for decades. Tens of millions live in places where job opportunities are shrinking and social outcomes suffer as a result. At the same time, new industries, policy ideas, and community-led solutions are demonstrating how local economies can be revived — if the right people have the connections, tools, and runway to scale.

The Big Bets Fellowship is Rockefeller’s attempt to gather leaders experimenting with high-impact solutions and give them a focused period of support: a cohort-based program where you workshop your idea, test assumptions, and leave with sharper strategy and new collaborators. Think of it less as a one-time prize and more like an artisan’s residency for systems-change projects: you get space, peers, and coaching to make the next leap.

This fellowship favors leaders who blend lived experience with demonstrable project traction. If you’ve been wrestling with getting displaced workers back into stable employment, piloting a regional green jobs initiative, or designing policy that stitches workforce development to employer demand — this is aimed at you.

What this opportunity offers (detailed)

The Big Bets Fellowship rewards audacity with structure. While Rockefeller does not publish a fixed dollar award for each Fellow in the U.S. cohort, the real value comes in three concrete forms: convening and network access, strategic development support, and visibility to funders and policymakers.

First, the fellowship covers travel for the in-person convening. That matters — there’s real coordination and peer learning that only happens face-to-face. Expect facilitated workshops, small-group strategy sessions, and time with program staff who can help you refine metrics and partnership plans. The convening experience often accelerates projects faster than six months of solo work.

Second, Fellows join a network of problem-solvers that extends beyond the convening. Rockefeller’s Big Bets Community is a curated group; membership is required prior to application. Once selected, Fellows typically receive cohort-based coaching, introductions to potential partners, and sometimes follow-up convenings or virtual workshops. This kind of social capital is hard to buy and easier to squander without the right posture — but when used well, it opens doors to pilot opportunities, state-level policy conversations, and investor interest.

Third, the program is selective and reputation-enhancing. The Rockefeller brand signals that your project is worth attention. The foundation’s staff can amplify promising Fellows to other funders; alumni have used the fellowship to secure additional funding, recruit partners, or influence local policy. Even if you don’t take home direct funding, the convening and endorsement can be transformative.

Who should apply — real-world profiles

There is no single “type” of Big Bets Fellow, but the program favors certain profiles. Imagine three concrete applicants:

• Maria, 9 years as director of a rural workforce nonprofit. She has run a successful pilot retraining displaced manufacturing workers, secured employer commitments for placements, and is ready to scale the model across two states. She brings lived experience: her family’s town was hit by factory closure.

• Jamal, 7 years in public-sector policy. He’s led city-level workforce partnerships and has drafted a policy package to incentivize employers to hire through community-based organizations. He needs help with stakeholder strategy and state policy alignment.

• Aisha, 12 years founding a social enterprise that creates apprenticeship pathways in the green economy. Her model works locally; she needs systems-level partnerships and investor introductions to replicate in other regions.

If you sit between 5 and 15 years of experience and can point to measurable outcomes — employment placements, demonstrable policy wins, or pilot metrics — you should consider applying. The fellowship rewards regional roots: deep engagement in the communities your work serves, whether through lived experience, sustained professional work, or community leadership.

Importantly, your project must impact one or more U.S. states, and it should directly benefit the communities you represent. That means solutions built from inside communities — not parachute interventions — have a stronger chance.

Insider tips for a winning application (300+ words)

Applying well to this fellowship is less about florid prose and more about clarity, evidence, and humility. Here are seven concrete tactics that improve odds of being selected.

1. Lead with outcomes, not intentions. Start your narrative with a crisp statement: “In 18 months our program will place X displaced workers into Y-hour-per-week jobs with an average wage of $Z.” Quantify what success looks like. Ambition is good; measurable outcomes convince selection panels you’re practical.

2. Show what you’ve learned from failure. Fellows who can describe failed assumptions and how they adapted are more persuasive. A short “what didn’t work and why” section signals realism and readiness for candid coaching.

3. Bring a partnership plan, not solo dreams. The program values people who assemble coalitions: employers, community-based organizations, training partners, and local government. Include letters or statements of interest where possible — even informal ones that say “we’re exploring partnering” help.

4. Make the regional case. Explain why your region matters: demographic shifts, employer trends, or policy windows. Use one or two concise data points (unemployment figures, industry decline/growth, or workforce pipeline gaps) to show you’re solving a real local problem.

5. Be precise about what you want from the fellowship. Don’t say “network and support.” Say “we need assistance refining our employer pipeline with three anchor partners; coaching on impact metrics; and introductions to state workforce boards.” Concrete asks enable the program to see fit.

6. Prepare a short, jargon-free narrative for non-specialists. Fellowship reviewers include people from different backgrounds. If your one-paragraph summary requires specialized vocabulary, rewrite it until a civic leader can understand.

7. Use community voice. If your project serves a specific population, include a short quote or testimonial from someone affected by the work. It’s not sentimentalism — it’s proof that your project is rooted in real need.

Start drafting 6–8 weeks before the deadline. Give yourself time for external reviewers: someone in your field, someone from a different sector, and a trusted community partner.

Application timeline — work backward from January 12, 2026

Begin at least eight weeks before the deadline. Here’s a practical schedule:

• 8 weeks out (mid-November 2025): Join the Big Bets Community (required) and register for any info sessions. Draft your one-paragraph problem statement and metrics of success.

• 6 weeks out (late November): Assemble your core application materials. Reach out to potential endorsers or partners for short letters or statements. Draft the narrative and partnership plan.

• 4 weeks out (mid-December): Circulate your draft to three reviewers (internal colleague, external sector peer, community representative). Incorporate feedback. Confirm travel and visa details if relevant.

• 2 weeks out (late December to early January): Final edits and formatting. Ensure your Big Bets Community membership is active and that you received the application link by email. Submit at least 48 hours before the deadline to avoid last-minute tech issues.

• Deadline: January 12, 2026 — submit early.

Required materials — what to prepare and how to present it

The Rockefeller application will likely ask for a concise project narrative, biography, and demonstration of regional impact. Prepare the following items well in advance:

• A 1–2 page project summary that states the problem, your proposed approach, expected outcomes (with numbers), and why now is the moment for this work.

• A clear timeline (6–24 months) with milestones and metrics. Indicate what progress looks like at 6, 12, and 18 months.

• A brief CV or bio (2 pages max) emphasizing relevant experience, roles, and measurable achievements.

• Letters or statements of support from at least one community partner, employer partner, or local government official. These don’t need to be formal; short emails validating partnership intent are useful.

• A concise budget or resource plan (one page) explaining current funding, what additional resources you need, and how Rockefeller’s convening support will change your trajectory.

• Evidence of impact: client numbers, pilot results, program data, or media coverage. Attach or link to supporting documents succinctly.

Present everything in plain English. Use one-sentence captions for data points or graphs. If you include attachments, name them clearly (e.g., “CityWorkforcePilot_Impact_2024.pdf”).

What makes an application stand out — the selection criteria

Selection will favor projects that combine ambition with feasibility. Reviewers typically evaluate:

• Impact potential: Does the project tackle a pressing problem with clear, measurable outcomes? Is the scale plausible?

• Demonstrated traction: Do you have pilot results, employer commitments, or policy interest? Evidence matters.

• Regional rootedness: Are you deeply engaged in the communities you aim to serve? Have you worked there or with them for a sustained period?

• Collaboration capacity: Can you convene partners and bridge sectors (public, private, nonprofit)? Systems work requires coalitions.

• Learning orientation: Will you benefit from coaching and peer feedback? Programs look for people willing to iterate.

A standout application ties these threads together: a concise theory of change, hard numbers, partner commitments, and a humble plan for using fellowship time to achieve specific next steps.

Common mistakes to avoid (and how to fix them)

• Vague outcomes. Fix it: Replace vague aspirations with numeric targets and specific timeframes.

• Overreliance on jargon. Fix it: Rewrite for a smart non-expert. If a civic leader can’t follow, neither can a reviewer outside your niche.

• No evidence of traction. Fix it: Include even modest pilot results, testimonials, or employer letters. Small wins undercut big claims.

• Applying as a sideline project. Fix it: Show institutional commitment — time allocation, staff roles, or letters confirming resources.

• Missing the community requirement. Fix it: Demonstrate how your work directly benefits the communities you represent; show co-design or participant input.

• Waiting until the deadline. Fix it: Build in time for feedback and submission buffering.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Do I need to be a U.S. citizen? A: The program focuses on projects that affect U.S. states. The application materials indicate that candidates must be working on projects that impact one or more U.S. states. Confirm citizenship or residency specifics on the official site or the application form.

Q: Do I have to pay to join the Big Bets Community? A: No. Joining the community is a required administrative step to receive the application link. The foundation covers convening travel expenses for selected Fellows, but visa costs and some travel documentation responsibilities fall on the applicant.

Q: Is the fellowship a cash grant? A: The core published benefits emphasize convenings, coaching, and network access. While direct funding is not explicitly advertised in the public synopsis, the reputational and strategic value of the program is substantial. If you need direct project funding, explain that clearly in your application and ask how Rockefeller might help with introductions.

Q: Can teams apply, or is this only for individuals? A: The program targets leaders, but your proposal can describe team-based work. Clarify roles and who the nominated Fellow will be. Ultimately, the selection is person-centered.

Q: What if my project is multi-state or national? A: Projects impacting multiple U.S. states are eligible, provided they directly benefit the communities involved. Emphasize how the fellowship will help you navigate regional differences and scale responsibly.

Q: Will Fellows get ongoing funding after the convening? A: The fellowship’s core offer is cohort support and convening. Some Fellows secure follow-on funding through connections made at the convening; Rockefeller may amplify promising projects, but follow-on funding is not guaranteed.

Next steps — concrete actions to get started

1. Join the Big Bets Community right away so you receive the application link and any pre-application materials. The membership step is required for eligibility.

2. Draft a one-page problem statement that includes: the specific community, the measurable problem, your intervention, and three concrete outcomes with timelines.

3. Reach out to one local partner (employer, government, or community organization) and request a short statement of partnership interest you can attach.

4. Build a simple 6–12 month timeline with milestones and metrics. Keep it realistic.

5. Line up two reviewers to read your application draft: one sector peer and one community representative.

Ready to apply? Visit the official Rockefeller Foundation Big Bets page and join the Big Bets Community to get your application link: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/fellowships-convenings/join/

Good luck — this is a selective program, but if your work blends deep local knowledge, measurable outcomes, and the willingness to learn in a cohort, the Big Bets Fellowship could be the nudge that pushes your project to the next scale.