Frequenctly Asked Questions Q: The dates I want are not available under this deadline-can I apply anyway? A: Yes. Please indicate your earlier availability on the cover sheet under broadest range of dates possible; this date range may span competition periods. However, you must also be available for dates that fall within the period for which you are applying since earlier dates may not be available. You are welcome to elaborate on your date preferences in a cover letter included with your application. Q: What is an "abstract"? A: The abstract is a short summary of the project you intend to work on while in residence. The abstract should include the goals and objectives and should not exceed one page. Q: Will my work samples be returned to me? A: CDs, music scores and DVDs will be returned. Photocopied material will not be returned. Extra materials beyond what are required for your particular type of application will not be seen by the review panel. Q: 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. As a matter of policy, we do not schedule residencies for textbook projects. Q: I can only stay for two weeks. Can I apply for a residency? A: Yes.While most residencies are for four weeks, two- and three-week residencies are offered for people who work outside of academia and find it difficult to be away or for people who have family obligations that preclude absences for as long as four weeks. Please include a brief statement as to why you are asking for a shorter stay with your application. Q: If I receive a residency,may I bring my child? A: Because of the nature of the Bellagio residency, we are not able to accommodate even adult children. Q: My 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 will be invited to accompany the resident. Q: Can three people working on the same project apply for a collaborative residency? A: Three people working on the same project should apply as a team. Collaborative residencies are limited to two people. Q: What is a collaborative residency? A: Collaborative residents work on the same project. Collaborative applicants provide one abstract and one project description but separate cover sheets, curriculum vitae and samples of work. 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 needs basis to qualifying applicants and their spouses/partners from developing countries. In cases of demonstrable need, financial aid for high-income-country applicants will be considered. Please request travel assistance at the time of application. Q: Can I apply online? A: Yes, we encourage online applications at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/bellagio. Application requirements and forms can be downloaded from this site. 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 stay? A: Former residents (and spouses/partners who accompanied them) must wait 10 years before reapplying. Third residencies are not offered. Q: Can we apply to hold a series of meetings at Bellagio? A: Yes. Series of meetings are possible. However, assessments of a previous meeting are a key factor in reviews of subsequent meeting requests. Q: The meeting I am planning is far in the future. Do I have to submit a participant list now? A: While we understand that participants cannot make firm commitments for a meeting that has not been scheduled, we encourage organizers to survey potential participants and ascertain interest, subject to convenient scheduling. The proposed list should be your "best estimate" of who will participate in the meeting.