MacArthur Foundation Announces 2025 Fellows and $800,000 Awards

CHICAGO, IL — The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation revealed its 2025 class of fellows on Wednesday, awarding 22 individuals known for their extraordinary creativity and potential impact. Each recipient will receive an $800,000 grant over five years with no restrictions on use.

These fellowships, often referred to as ‘genius grants,’ recognize a diverse group of artists, scientists, and scholars who demonstrate exceptional creativity and show promise for future advancements in their fields. Kristen Mack, Vice President of Communications for the MacArthur Foundation, stated, ‘The 2025 MacArthur Fellows expand the boundaries of knowledge, artistry, and human understanding.’

This year’s cohort includes a range of professionals: Ángel F. Adames Corraliza, an atmospheric scientist, studies tropical meteorology at the University of Wisconsin. He focuses on weather patterns such as tropical cyclones. Nabarun Dasgupta from the University of North Carolina is an epidemiologist working on harm reduction strategies, particularly regarding opioid use.

Other recipients include Kristina Douglass, an archaeologist at Columbia University who examines human and environmental interaction, and Kareem El-Badry, an astrophysicist at Caltech investigating stellar formations.

Among the artists recognized are Matt Black, a photographer addressing poverty in American landscapes, and Heather Christian, a composer whose works blend music and storytelling to explore modern spirituality. Others like Tommy Orange, a novelist from Oakland, California, are lauded for their insights into Native American experiences.

The fellowships are awarded after a careful vetting process conducted by an independent selection committee of professionals from arts, sciences, and humanities. Since 1981, the MacArthur Foundation has named over 1,150 fellows.