Applications are currently open for the Big Bets Fellowship: Africa 2026. As part of Rockefeller Foundation long-standing commitment to making opportunities universal, the Big Bets Fellowship equips visionary leaders with the mindset, skills and networks needed to realize their ambitions and drive change in their communities at scale.
Description Details of the Rockefeller Foundation Big Bets Fellowship (Africa) 2026.
The Big Bets Fellowship (Africa) is a leadership development program run by The Rockefeller Foundation. It is focused on visionary African leaders who are working on bold, systemic solutions to big challenges; not just incremental change. Fellows will work on Big Bets projects that fundamentally reimagine systems, policies, or institutions. The key thematic areas/project focus include (but are not limited to):
- Renewable energy deployment & closing energy poverty gaps.
- Strengthening health systems, especially around disease outbreak resilience and heat stress.
- Transforming food systems (food security, smallholder farmers).
- Strengthening markets and trade systems, especially for excluded communities.
- Enabling conditions via AI, data access, and policy innovation to scale local impact.
The program includes:
- Weekly virtual programming 90-minute sessions from May to August 2026.
- In-person convening at The Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center in the week of August 23, 2026.
- Amplification Moment in Fall 2026 to showcase fellows’ ideas.
- Travel to the in-person convening will be covered by the Rockefeller Foundation.
- Fellows must be members of the Big Bets Community to apply.
- Ideal candidates have 5–15 years of experience in professional, entrepreneurial, or community-based work.
- They are expected to show deep engagement in their region and a track record of meaningful change.
Funding for the Big Bets Fellowship Africa 2026 (Rockefeller Foundation).
- The fellowship is fully funded by The Rockefeller Foundation.
- Fellows receive a USD 5,000 stipend to support their participation.
- Travel expenses for the in-person convening (Bellagio Center) are covered by the Rockefeller Foundation.
- Fellows are responsible for securing their own visas. However, most reasonable visa-related expenses will be supported.
Note: The fellowship does not provide a project implementation grant. The support is for leadership development, strategic guidance, networking, and visibility rather than direct project funding.
Rockefeller Foundation Big Bets Fellowship Africa 2026 Benefits
Successful applicants of the Big Bets Fellowship would enjoy the following;
- USD 5,000 stipend paid to each fellow.
- Travel costs covered for the in-person convening in Italy (Bellagio Center).
- Integrative curriculum covering theory of change, storytelling, partnership building, systems thinking, etc.
- Time with mentors, experts, and peers to refine and scale their big bet.
- Membership in a cross-regional cohort and access to The Rockefeller Foundation’s broader network.
- Opportunities to share and amplify your project through curated Rockefeller Foundation partner events.
- Belonging to a global or pan-African community of changemakers, with continued post-fellowship engagement.
Eligibility Criteria
According to the Rockefeller Foundation, to be eligible for the Big Bets Fellowship, Applicants;
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must be between 5 and 15 years of relevant work experience (professional, entrepreneurial, or community-based) in the field of their proposed project.
- Must be conversant in English (approximately B1 level or higher on the CEFR).
- Must be legally able to participate under the laws of their country of residence.
- Must hold or have and maintain the necessary rights, licenses, and permissions for any project or idea they bring to the Fellowship (IP, proprietary rights, etc.).
- Need to be members of the Big Bets Community to access the eligibility form and application link.
- Cannot be employees, officers, or directors of The Rockefeller Foundation (or its affiliates), nor official judges involved in the selection process.
- The 2026 cohort is focused on leaders from across Africa, working on solutions for systemic, continent-wide or regional challenges.