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Selection Process and Criteria | Accommodations | Considerations | FAQs | Application Requirements
Practitioner Residencies Application Checklist | Application Deadlines
We believe in the power and results of investing in and unleashing human capacity. The Rockefeller Bellagio Center brings together people of diverse expertise and cultures in a neutral and thought-provoking environment to promote international understanding that allows innovation and creativity to flourish.
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The Rockefeller Foundation’s Residency Opportunity for Practitioners at the Bellagio Center
Practitioner Residencies
The Center offers residencies to professionals working outside of academia in fields of interest to the Rockefeller Foundation. We seek applicants with demonstrated leadership qualities and responsibilities to contribute to the intellectual life at the Center. Priority is given to people working in fields that align with the mission of the Foundation. Individuals from outside North America (especially developing countries); as well as postdoctoral, pre-tenure academics and other young professionals with significant accomplishments are encouraged to apply. We accept applications on a rolling admissions basis throughout the year and normally applicants are notified within 8 weeks of applying.
In selecting the Practitioners, we look for three types of prospective residents; 1) people who have led powerful lives and are stepping aside or over; 2) people who are in the throes of leading major change in the world in their current capacity (heads of state, NGOs etc); and 3) young emerging leaders who may be at their creative zenith looking ahead.
Over meals and during informal presentations of work, residents engage with other fellows and, on occasion, interact with participants in conferences. The combination of private time for work and reflection and informal gatherings is a large part of life at the Center.
- Spouses/life partners are encouraged to accompany the resident and/or may apply for a concurrent residency.
- The Center also offers collaborative residencies for two to four persons working on the same project.
- One to four-week residency periods are available.
Practitioner Residency Selection Process and Criteria:
Applications are reviewed by the senior program leadership of the Rockefeller Foundation, which makes the final selection and oversees the practitioner residencies at the Center.
- The Foundation seeks applicants of achievement and promise who are addressing significant issues to expand opportunities for poor or vulnerable people and to help ensure that globalization’s benefits are more widely shared. Details on the Foundation’s mission and philosophy can be found in the “About Us” section.
- The senior program leadership of the Rockefeller Foundation takes into consideration the personal qualities that are likely to make a candidate a contributing member of an international community — curiosity, breadth of interests, willingness to hear other viewpoints and sensitivity to other cultures.
The Foundation seeks applicants who are able to demonstrate a history of professional leadership and significant achievement in their respective fields.
Decisions are based on:
- alignment with the Foundation’s mission,
- the professional qualifications of the applicant,
- the timeliness of the residency,
- the questions posed and the approach used to address them,
- the potential impact of the proposed work at Bellagio, and
- the suitability and value of the Center for the proposed activity.
The Center aims to host an international mix of residents, therefore consideration may also be given to nationality and/or geography. Individuals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.
Additionally, the committee takes into consideration the personal qualities that are likely to make a candidate a contributing member of an international, interdisciplinary community — curiosity, breadth of interests, ability to honor other viewpoints and sensitivity to other cultures.
Applications are reviewed by the senior program leadership of the Rockefeller Foundation, which makes the final selection.
AccommodationsResidents are housed in two main buildings and each resident is given a private room with bath and a study, either adjoining the bedroom or on the grounds. High-speed Internet access is available free of charge in all bedrooms and most studies.
The Center is not a research facility. We have a small library that includes basic reference books and online research tools. The works of many former residents and those resulting from Bellagio conferences are also available.
Accommodations are not available for children and family members other than spouses/life partners, nor for friends or pets.
ConsiderationsSeveral resident suites are available for those with restricted mobility, and several of the buildings now include an elevator. Nonetheless, the hillside setting of the facility and the surrounding area restricts the mobility of persons who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
The Center is not equipped to provide medical services or assisted care. The nearest major hospital is in Lecco, a 40-minute drive away.
Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Can I apply for a residency to work on my dissertation or a textbook?
A: The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center is not an appropriate place for dissertation work. It is our policy to not schedule residencies for textbook projects.
Q: I currently work in a governmental office; am I eligible to apply?
A: Current standing government officials in the U.S. (local, state and federal) are not eligible. However, some exceptions do apply. Please email the Bellagio Center office if you have any questions: bellagio_ny@rockfound.org.
Q: If I receive a residency, may I bring my child?
A: We are not able to accommodate children, even adult children.
Q: My spouse/partner and I each have projects and are both applying for a residency; does this mean our chances are better?
A: Each application is considered on its own merits. If only one individual is invited, the spouse/partner may accompany the invitee, but will not be considered a Bellagio resident. While studies and studio space are reserved solely for the use of residents, the Center offers plenty of common space for spouses/partners to work on their own projects.
Q: My project requires close collaboration with others. Is a group residency possible?
A: Yes. Collaborative residencies are available for two to four persons working on the same project. Each collaborator must separately fill out an online form. Please make sure that each collaborator provides the same abstract and project description. Work samples should represent previous collaborative work. However, if you are a new collaborative team, separate work samples can be submitted.
Q: If I receive a residency, what do I have to pay for?
A: Room and board are provided without charge to all residents and their spouses/partners. Residents and spouses/partners must pay for their own airfare and local transportation to/from Bellagio. Assistance with round-trip economy airfare between the home country and Milan is available on a financial needs basis to qualifying residents and their spouses/partners from developing countries. Travel assistance is awarded in a separate process from the residency competition. You may apply for travel assistance after you are invited to the Center.
Q: May I reapply if I do not get accepted for a residency?
A: Applicants who have not been accepted must wait two years before reapplying.
Q: I had a residency some years ago. Can I apply for a second residency?
A: Former residents (and spouses/partners who accompanied them) must wait 10 years before reapplying. Third residencies, even for those who were the accompanying spouse/life partner, are not offered.
Q: Who should I list as references?
A: Your references should know your work and be knowledgeable about the project you propose to work on at Bellagio. You should not list more than one person from the same university or institution, nor should you list editors or others with a financial interest in your success.
Please contact your references in advance to ask if they are willing and available to write on your behalf, and to confirm email addresses. You will also need to send them a copy of your Bellagio proposal.
The online application form will automatically send an email to your references once you submit your application (you will receive a generic copy of the email). Your references will be asked to provide a professional reference and an evaluation of the merit and substance of your proposed project, as well as a few words on your likely contribution to the intellectual and social community of scholars and artists at Bellagio.
The letters are due within three weeks after you submit your application. Our office will only contact your references once. You will be responsible for follow-up to ensure that we receive the letters on time.
Please note, the recommendation letters are considered a valuable part of your application, and are read by all proposal reviewers. It is mandatory within the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code for The Rockefeller Foundation, as a private foundation, to seek independent, objective opinions for each applicant.
Application Requirements for Practitioners
The application must be completed online in English and submitted by the published deadline.
Applicants from developing countries who have trouble accessing our online form may contact our office to discuss alternative ways to submit the application: bellagio_ny@rockfound.org.
Practitioner Residencies Application ChecklistApplications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis throughout the year. Your application should include:
- Complete online application form
- A brief statement of how this reflective time will make you a more effective person in your future work. (maximum 4 pages)
- An abbreviated CV of career highlights. (maximum 4 pages)
- Three references who must respond to our request via email
- Your application must be completed in English.
Please note:
Practitioner residency applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis throughout the year. Applicants will be notified of the decision within 8 weeks of receiving the application and letters of reference.
Click here to begin your online application