The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced its 2026 class of fellows on Tuesday, selecting 20 individuals recognized for exceptional creativity and impact across a wide range of disciplines. Each fellow will receive an $800,000 no-strings-attached grant distributed over five years to support their work.
The MacArthur “genius” awards are determined through a confidential, multi-year selection process based on nominations, with no application or direct involvement from the recipients. Many fellows report being surprised by their selection, which often accelerates their professional opportunities in addition to the financial support.
The 2026 cohort includes sociologists, artists, scientists, historians, poets, and more, representing a broad spectrum of fields. Among them is Holly Jean Buck, a sociologist at the University at Buffalo, whose research focuses on local communities’ roles in addressing climate change and promoting clean energy transitions. Duke University philosopher Felipe De Brigard investigates memory and forgiveness using cognitive science, with an emphasis on victims of political violence in Colombia.
Labor economist Ellora Derenoncourt of Princeton University studies the origins of racial wealth disparities in the United States and explores policies aimed at narrowing that gap. Also at Princeton, historian Elizabeth Ellis works to revise colonial histories by highlighting Indigenous nations’ alternative governance systems and resistance strategies.
Environmental scientist Kaiyu Guan at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign applies data and machine learning to assist farmers in improving crop yields. Zurich-based choreographer Trajal Harrell creates performances that merge dance traditions into a “fictitious archive” aimed at breaking down stylistic boundaries. Boulder climate scientist Marika Holland focuses on predicting ice cover changes and understanding polar climate impacts on marine ecosystems.
Artist Christine Sun Kim, based in Berlin, explores deaf individuals’ experiences through multimedia work encompassing drawings, murals, and interactive formats. Stanford University organic chemist Song Lin develops novel, safer synthetic methods to advance sustainable chemistry. Poet Layli Long Soldier from Santa Fe reinterprets historical texts to address Native American erasure, often integrating visual art with her writing.
UCLA artist Rodney McMillian examines socioeconomic history and belonging in the American South through diverse mediums including sculpture and performance. Fiction writer Maaza Mengiste, a professor at Wesleyan University, brings attention to the human consequences of political conflict in her historical novels. Historian Ariel Ron of Southern Methodist University studies the impact of Northern agriculture on economic growth and federal power in 19th-century America.
Forensic anthropologist Kate Spradley at Texas State University leads efforts to identify and repatriate remains of migrants lost along the Texas-Mexico border, navigating complex legal and ethical challenges through her Operation Identification initiative. Public artist Chip Thomas transforms neglected sites in the Navajo Nation into community-centered public artworks.
Visual artist Vincent Valdez, based in Texas, depicts Latino experiences in the U.S., while University of Chicago physicist Vincenzo Vitelli works on theoretical models describing novel material properties. Fiction writer Bryan Washington, living in Tokyo, explores contemporary relationships in his novels. New York City-based jazz saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins creates music reflecting historical narratives of injustice.
Chemical and bioengineer Liangfang Zhang at the University of California San Diego develops innovative nanotechnologies aimed at treating infectious diseases, cancers, and immune disorders.
The new class of fellows reflects a commitment to supporting creative and impactful work across disciplines that address critical social, scientific, and cultural issues.