Rockefeller Foundation Announces 2025 Bellagio Residents and Issues Open Call for 2026 Residencies

The 2025 Class joins over 4,100 global changemakers from more than 130 countries promoting humanity's well-being around the world since 1959

NEW YORK, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center (Bellagio Center) announced that 105 leaders from 33 countries have been selected to join The Bellagio Center Residency Program's 2025 Class, and it officially opened a call for applications for 2026 residencies with a deadline of March 24, 2025. Since its launch in 1959, the program has welcomed more than 4,100 trailblazers, changemakers, and champions from over 130 countries. The residency offers participants time and space to work, and access to a global network of previous Bellagio Center residents, all of whom have demonstrated a commitment to making an impact in their communities and around the world.

"The Bellagio Center furthers The Rockefeller Foundation's nearly 112-year-old mission by giving the world's most innovative scholars, practitioners, and artists a unique opportunity that will create real change," said Natalye Paquin, Chief Operating Officer at The Rockefeller Foundation. "As we prepare to welcome our remarkable 2025 residents, we invite others to apply for this extraordinary opportunity to think, work, and engage with other bright minds in a setting that cultivates creativity and emphasizes impact."

For more than 60 years, the Bellagio Center Residency Program has brought global leaders together to connect, collaborate, and create breakthrough solutions that change the world. During this time, The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center has hosted some of the most ambitious, innovative, and committed leaders of our time, including more than 85 Nobel Laureates. Previous guests include economists Amartya Sen and Milton Friedman, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa Dikgang Moseneke, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, renowned author Maya Angelou, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, and more.

"The Bellagio Center Residency Program has a long, proud history of spurring action and impact to address our most pressing global challenges," said Eason Jordan, The Rockefeller Foundation's Senior Vice President for Connected Leaders. "The Program brings together leaders from different backgrounds and perspectives to learn from one another and advance breakthroughs that are stronger as a result of their connections."

Every year, approximately 100 artists, authors, policymakers, practitioners, scholars, and scientists from around the world participate in the month-long residency program at the Bellagio Center, located in Bellagio, Italy. By providing access to focused, uninterrupted work time in a unique environment, the program aims to help residents, who have a wide range of perspectives and experiences, advance their breakthrough projects. By forging new bonds that cross professional sectors, political affiliations, and national borders, residents stay connected to each other and to The Rockefeller Foundation long after their residency ends as members of the Bellagio Network.

2025 Class of Bellagio Center Residents:

This year's class includes 105 global leaders from 33 countries, who are advancing a range of projects that reflect The Rockefeller Foundation's mission to "promote the well-being of humanity." Among them are Nobel Prize winner and scientist Carlos Nobre (Brazil), New York Times Bestselling Author Tara Westover (United States), world-renowned "farm to table" chef Robert Oliver (New Zealand), renowned digital artist Prince Igwe (Nigeria), Government of India G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant (India), award-winning broadcaster and author Krista Tippett (United States), and others. The full list, grouped by place of origin, includes:

2026 Call for Applications:
Beginning today and through March 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, The Rockefeller Foundation is accepting applications for residencies in 2026. Reflecting The Rockefeller Foundation's commitment to developing and delivering innovative solutions to global challenges while investing in pioneering leaders, the 2026 Bellagio Center Residency Program is seeking applications that advance novel approaches, new knowledge, and art to inspire and transform systems and practices. Applications are encouraged from academics, artists, and practitioners working in any discipline or area of study. Projects can be based on any topic but must demonstrate clear social impact and charitable purpose. In addition, The Rockefeller Foundation is especially interested in projects in these areas:

• Integrating nutrition into healthcare systems;
• Using artificial intelligence to make progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals; and
• Addressing challenges to energy, food, water systems, finance, migration, and women and girls at a time of climate change.

"The Bellagio Center Residency Program has been said to leave an 'imprint' on participants thanks to its unique ability to support individuals working on their breakthrough projects and connect leaders who otherwise may never have met," said Sarah Geisenheimer, Vice President of Convenings & Networks at The Rockefeller Foundation. "We are looking forward to receiving applications for our 2026 Residency Program from leaders that will benefit from this transformative experience."

About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.

SOURCE The Rockefeller Foundation