Call for Proposals: Bellagio Center Resident Fellows Program: The Rockefeller Foundation

Through conferences and residencies, the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, in northern Italy, supports innovations that change the way we solve global problems. People with diverse expertise and backgrounds come together in a thought-provoking, collegial environment that helps promote impact on a wide range of world issues. The Center promotes interdisciplinary innovation, creativity and problem solving through two programs: international conferences and a resident fellows program.

The Residency Program allows for up to four weeks of disciplined work, uninterrupted by the professional and personal demands of daily life, in a diverse and stimulating community of fellow residents. Residents include an international cohort of scholars, scientists, journalists, writers, artists, non-governmental organization practitioners and policymakers. In addition to time for writing, creativity and reflection during the day, building new connections and collegial interaction with other residents is an integral dimension of the Bellagio experience. Meals and informal presentations of residents’ work afford an opportunity for dynamic discussion and engagement with each other. The combination of quiet time for individual, focused work and connections with such a diverse cohort is unparalleled.

Residencies typically last up to four weeks, and spouses/life partners may accompany residents. Team residencies for small groups of 2-4 are also available. Accommodations and meals are provided for all residents and spouses, and there is a travel grant program, awarded on a needs basis.

Applications for scholarly and artistic residencies are accepted on annual deadlines, typically May and December for residencies the following year. Applications for practitioner residencies and from conference organizers are accepted on a rolling basis.

Bellagio conferences establish new connections across disciplines and geographies, encourage dynamic, small group interactions, and promote innovative and creative thinking—all in a serene setting conducive to focused, goal-oriented work. Approximately one-third of the conferences that take place at the Bellagio Center over the course of a year are organized directly by the Rockefeller Foundation. The other conferences are arranged by people and institutions that share in the Foundation’s vision to expand opportunities for poor or vulnerable people. For externally-organized conferences, chosen through a competitive process, the Foundation provides the facilities, accommodations, and some travel support at no cost to conference organizers or attendees. These selected conferences aim to contribute to our broader mission of promoting the well-being of humanity. The Foundation also provides meals at no cost, and there is also limited support for local transportation and travel support for a number of conference participants.

For more information on the Resident Fellows Program, please visit http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/bellagio-center/residency-program