The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced its 2026 class of fellows, awarding 20 individuals with the prestigious “Genius Grant,” a fellowship that provides $800,000 over five years to support their work across a diverse range of fields. The recipients include artists, scientists, writers, and scholars recognized for their “extraordinary originality and dedication” in their respective disciplines.

Among the latest honorees is Ethiopian American author Maaza Mengiste, who initially doubted the authenticity of the call informing her of the award. Mengiste’s writing focuses on Ethiopian history, particularly the Italian-Ethiopian War of the 1930s, a subject she has explored extensively through her novels and research. She learned Italian on a Fulbright scholarship to deepen her study of the conflict and has published two critically acclaimed books addressing 20th-century Ethiopian struggles. Mengiste intends to use portions of the grant to promote translations of African literary fiction into English and to expand a photo archive documenting the 1935 war. She emphasized the importance of visual memory in understanding contemporary conflicts, citing images emerging from places like Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine.

The MacArthur Fellowship, established in 1981 and administered by the foundation created after the 1970 death of investor John D. MacArthur, is notable for its unrestricted funding model. Recipients are not obliged to report on how the money is spent, allowing them the freedom to pursue innovative or high-risk projects without immediate pressure to demonstrate results.

Stanford University chemistry professor Song Lin is among the 2026 fellows. Lin highlighted the grant’s value in enabling fundamental research, which often does not yield immediate practical applications but can have significant long-term societal impacts. His work in electrochemistry and organic chemistry aims to develop more sustainable and efficient methods for drug synthesis.

The fellowship class also features Immanuel Wilkins, a 29-year-old jazz saxophonist, who received the news during a train ride between New York and Philadelphia. Wilkins said the grant will afford him opportunities such as extended studio recording sessions that were previously beyond his financial reach, helping to advance his artistic career.

Since its inception, the MacArthur Fellows Program has recognized more than 1,000 individuals, including notable figures such as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Josh Ashbery, and Terrance Tao. The 2026 cohort reflects the program’s broad scope, encompassing diverse fields and stages of career development.