The Rockefeller Foundation 2026 Big Bets Fellowship: United States is a transformational leadership program designed to support bold thinkers who are working to solve some of America’s most pressing economic and social challenges. Rooted in The Rockefeller Foundation’s long-standing mission to make opportunity universal, the fellowship equips leaders with the skills, mindset, and community needed to drive large-scale, lasting change.
At a time when the United States is grappling with deepening inequality, economic uncertainty, and declining trust in institutions, the Big Bets Fellowship offers a platform for visionary leaders to reimagine systems, create resilient solutions, and unlock inclusive economic growth that benefits both people and the planet.
Why the Big Bets Fellowship Matters Now
The United States stands at a defining moment. Over the past several decades, income and wealth inequality have continued to widen, with economic opportunity increasingly concentrated among a small segment of the population. Nearly 50 million Americans live in distressed communities, where declining job prospects often lead to broader challenges such as poor health outcomes, limited educational access, and persistent racial and gender inequities.
Despite these challenges, the country also holds immense potential. Strong research institutions, innovative public policies, a rapidly expanding green economy, and advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, present powerful tools for transformation. The Big Bets Fellowship is built to harness these strengths and channel them into solutions that rebuild trust, resilience, and economic opportunity at scale.
Also Apply For: MIT Climate and Energy Prize 2026 ($100,000 in Non-Dilutive Cash Prizes)
What Is the Big Bets Fellowship: United States?
The Big Bets Fellowship: United States is an annual program that brings together leaders from across sectors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, community builders, technologists, and social innovators who are working on ambitious projects that impact one or more U.S. states.
Unlike programs focused on incremental improvements, this fellowship centers on “Big Bets”: bold, coordinated efforts designed to fundamentally solve systemic problems. Fellows are supported to develop entrepreneurial solutions, resilient systems, and innovative policies that strengthen communities and prepare them for future economic disruptions.
Program Structure and Key Dates
The 2026 fellowship combines virtual learning, in-person collaboration, and public amplification:
- Onboarding Call: Week of May 4, 2026
- Virtual Programming: Weekly 90-minute online sessions from May to August 2026
- In-Person Convening: Week of August 23, 2026, at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center
- Amplification Moment: Fall 2026
Travel expenses for the in-person convening are fully covered by The Rockefeller Foundation. Fellows are responsible for securing any required visas.
Who Should Apply?
There is no single profile of a Big Bets Fellow. However, successful candidates typically share a combination of experience, commitment, and bold thinking.
Applicants are expected to:
- Have 5–15 years of experience driving impact through professional, entrepreneurial, or community-based work
- Be deeply engaged in their region through lived experience, professional leadership, or community involvement
- Bring a distinctive perspective informed by both personal and professional insight
- Demonstrate a proven ability to lead change and mobilize diverse stakeholders
- Be collaborative, curious, and committed to learning within a community of peers
- Show courage in challenging the status quo and advancing innovative solutions
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be working on a project that directly impacts one or more U.S. states
- Demonstrate clear benefits to the communities they represent
- Be member of the Big Bets Community prior to applying
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
Projects may take many forms, including policy initiatives, social innovations, technology-driven solutions, or community-based models. All Big Bets projects must show the potential to create a transformative impact in one or more of the following areas:
- Creating quality jobs through innovative economic development and entrepreneurship
- Connecting low-wage workers and families to quality employment by removing barriers such as childcare or transportation
- Addressing cost-of-living pressures, including affordable housing, healthcare access, and education pathways tied to good jobs
- Strengthening family supports and access to public benefits
- Transforming food and health systems, including food-as-medicine approaches
- Advancing innovative solutions, especially in artificial intelligence, policy design, and data access, to strengthen civic institutions and service delivery
Application Timeline for 2026
- Application Launch: December 15, 2025
- Eligibility & Pre-Application Deadline: January 12, 2026 (12 PM EST)
- Finalists Notified: Early February 2026
- Full Application Deadline: March 2, 2026 (12 PM EST)
- Interviews: Early March 2026
- Fellows Announced: Mid-April 2026
The Big Bets Community
The fellowship is part of a broader Big Bets Community, a growing network of optimistic, forward-thinking leaders committed to solving the world’s toughest challenges. Membership is free and offers access to exclusive resources, monthly newsletters, community spotlights, and early information about fellowship opportunities.
Members are united by a shared belief: that bold ideas, sustained collaboration, and courageous leadership can reshape systems and create a more equitable future.
A Fellowship for Lasting Impact
The Rockefeller Foundation 2026 Big Bets Fellowship: United States is more than a leadership program; it is a catalyst for large-scale change. By supporting leaders who think bigger, act boldly, and stay deeply rooted in community, the fellowship aims to accelerate solutions that uplift workers, strengthen families, and build a resilient American economy for generations to come.
For more information, visit the Big Bets Foundation.
