Who says you can’t change the world?

The Big Bets Fellowship: Africa 2026, powered by The Rockefeller Foundation, is a five-month leadership development program for visionary African leaders who are designing bold, systemic solutions to today’s toughest challenges – from climate change and food systems to public health and economic opportunity.

There is no fee, donation, or purchase required to apply for the Fellowship.

About the Big Bets Community, Fellowships & Convenings

At The Rockefeller Foundation, the belief is simple: you can make the world better with big bets.

The Big Bets Community brings together emerging leaders with bold, transformative ideas and connects them to:

• High-impact fellowships and convenings

• A dynamic peer community

• Strategic support to turn big ideas into real-world change

If you’re passionate about combating climate change, creating economic opportunity, or transforming systems for a more sustainable and inclusive future, this community – and this Fellowship – is designed for you.

Join the Big Bets Community to:

• Be part of a global network making transformative change

• Receive exclusive resources to develop your “big bet”

• Get information on how to apply for the 2026 Big Bets Fellowship: Africa

Membership is free, and community members receive a monthly newsletter with resources, opportunities, and spotlights on inspiring leaders.

What Is the 2026 Big Bets Fellowship: Africa?

The Big Bets Fellowship: Africa is a 5-month, hybrid leadership development program that equips a selected cohort of African changemakers with:

• A Big Bets Toolkit to sharpen strategic thinking

• Practical leadership skills to drive systemic, scalable impact

• Access to a powerful regional and global network

• A USD $5,000 stipend (subject to applicable taxes and withholding) to support participation in the program

In 2026, the Fellowship will focus on solutions with impact in countries across Africa, centering projects that benefit underserved communities and accelerate progress for people and planet.

The program will select approximately 10 fellows.

Program Structure & Dates (2026)

The Fellowship is delivered over approximately 20 weeks via a blend of virtual and in-person activities:

• Onboarding Call: Week of May 4, 2026

• Virtual Programming: Weekly 90-minute online sessions from May to August

• 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 covered by The Rockefeller Foundation. Fellows are responsible for securing their own visa(s); most reasonable visa-related expenses will be supported, but failure to obtain a visa may impact participation.

Note: The Fellowship does not include a project implementation grant. Instead, it provides a stipend, strategic guidance, leadership development, visibility, and powerful networks to help set your solution on a trajectory for outsized impact.

What Fellows Receive

Selected fellows will benefit from:

1. Integrative Leadership Curriculum

An applied learning experience focused on:

• Theory of change and systems thinking

• Strategic partnerships and coalition-building

• Storytelling and influence for impact

2. Impact Acceleration

Dedicated time with peers, mentors, and experts to:

• Refine and stress-test your strategy

• Strengthen your project’s pathway to scale

• Navigate ecosystem challenges and opportunities

3. Cohort & Community

Join a regional cohort of 10 innovators, thinkers, and builders plus a growing global network of leaders from previous Big Bets and Bellagio cohorts.

4. Network Access

Exclusive access to The Rockefeller Foundation’s broader network, which may include:

• Post-fellowship programming

• Convenings and consultations

• Facilitated introductions

• Speaking or showcasing opportunities at global events

5. Global Platform

Visibility for your work through curated partner events and amplification moments, positioning your solution as a powerful example of African-led innovation.

As Nathalia Arcencio De Marchi dos Santos, Manager of Convenings and Networks at The Rockefeller Foundation, notes:

“The work of these fellows flips the script: the Global South is not just a hotspot for challenges, but a powerhouse for innovative solutions.”

Why Focus on Africa?

Africa is at a defining moment. With a young, rapidly growing population and immense entrepreneurial energy, the continent is a global engine for innovation and progress.

The 2026 Big Bets Fellowship: Africa aims to support leaders who are:

• Reimagining systems and institutions

• Building resilient, inclusive economies

• Designing solutions that benefit communities most affected by inequality, climate risks, and systemic exclusion

By investing in African leadership now, the Fellowship helps ensure that growth is equitable, sustainable, and locally led.

Priority Project Areas: What Is a “Big Bet”?

A Big Bet is a bold, concerted effort to fundamentally solve a problem—not just make incremental improvements.

Projects may take many forms—social innovations, policy experiments, community-based initiatives, or technology-driven solutions—but must clearly demonstrate potential to:

• Strengthen regional and international collaboration

• Accelerate decentralized renewable energy for underserved communities

• Advance public health and heat resilience

• Transform food systems and enhance food security (including school meals or support to smallholder farmers)

• Strengthen markets and trade systems that benefit excluded participants

• Enable impact through AI, data access, and policy innovation in support of African-led solutions

Projects must have a charitable purpose, demonstrate impact potential within 5–7 years, and show early signs of traction and viability.

Who Should Apply? – Eligibility & Candidate Profile

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be 18 years or older

• Have 5 to 15 years of relevant work experience in the project area

• Be conversant in English (approximately B1 level or higher on the CEFR) – able to follow discussions, participate in sessions, and clearly communicate your work

• Be able to legally participate under the laws of their jurisdiction

• Hold or maintain all necessary rights and permissions related to their project and its intellectual property

• Be a member of the Big Bets Community (membership is required to receive the eligibility form and application link)

Applicants cannot be:

• Employees, officers, or directors of The Rockefeller Foundation (or its affiliates)

• Official Judges involved in the selection process

• Individuals in sanctioned or embargoed countries/regions as defined by relevant authorities

Ideal Candidate Characteristics

Successful candidates typically:

• Have deep, ongoing regional engagement in Africa (lived experience, professional work, or community leadership)

• Demonstrate growing influence in their field or ecosystem

• Have a strong track record of leading change, mobilizing others, and delivering results

• Show a collaborative, curious, and community-driven mindset

• Are excited to learn from and contribute to a Fellowship community

• Are at a project stage where strategic support and networks can significantly accelerate momentum and impact

Application Process – Step by Step

All applications are sourced from the Big Bets Community. Once you join the community, the process typically follows these stages:

1. Join the Big Bets Community

   • Members who sign up by November 29, 2025 will receive an Eligibility Form.

2. Eligibility Form

   • A short survey covering age, years of experience, and project charitable status.

   • Applicants who meet the criteria are invited to the next stage.

3. Pre-Application Form
   Sent after confirming eligibility. You’ll be asked to describe:

   • Your project and its purpose

   • Why it qualifies as a “Big Bet”

   • Its impact in Africa and on underserved communities

   • Stage, traction, thematic focus, and your role/organization (if applicable)

4. Full Application Form
   Shortlisted candidates (finalists) are invited to complete a more detailed application in early January 2026, covering:

   • Professional background and experience driving impact

   • Preparedness and motivation to deliver on your project’s goals

   • Project’s ecosystem context, challenges, and vision for the future

   • Resource plan and alignment with the Big Bets mindset and Fellowship program

5. Reference Letter

   • Finalists must submit a Reference Form from a recognized expert in their field with at least 15 years of relevant experience, speaking to the applicant’s qualifications and potential.

6. Online Interview (in English)

   • Finalists are invited to an interview to assess program and project fit, alignment with Fellowship goals, and readiness to participate fully.

7. Final Selection

   • The Rockefeller Foundation, with the support of Judges and experts, makes final decisions.

   • Approximately 10 fellows will be selected and notified via email.

All application materials must be submitted online in English via the specified platform. Submissions by email are not accepted.

For full legal details, including privacy, IP, and liability, applicants should review the official Big Bets Fellowship: Africa Terms & Conditions on the program website.

Key Dates (2025–2026)

• Application Launch: November 10, 2025

• Eligibility & Pre-Application Deadline: December 1, 2025

• Full Application Invitations Sent: Early January 2026

• Full Application & Reference Form Deadline: Late January 2026

• Interviews: January 2026

• Fellows Announced: Late February 2026

• Program Start: Early May 2026

Join the Big Bets Community & Learn How to Apply

If you:

• Are committed to solving tough challenges in Africa

• Have a bold, charitable, system-changing project

• Want to accelerate your leadership and impact within a powerful community

…then the Big Bets Fellowship: Africa 2026 may be the next big step in your journey.

👉 Join the Big Bets Community to receive:

• Monthly newsletters with exclusive resources

• Details on how to apply

• Updates on fellowships, convenings, and spotlights on inspiring leaders

👉 Learn more about the 2026 Big Bets Fellowship: Africa and explore the full Terms & Conditions on the official program website.