The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has officially announced its 2026 class of MacArthur Fellows, a prestigious cohort of 20 individuals whose work has been identified as representing the pinnacle of "exceptional creativity" and intellectual rigor. This year’s selection continues the Foundation’s long-standing tradition of identifying pioneers across a vast spectrum of human endeavor, from the hard sciences and social advocacy to the fine arts and historical scholarship. Among the diverse group of innovators recognized this year are three literary figures—Layli Long Soldier, Maaza Mengiste, and Bryan Washington—whose work in poetry and fiction has been cited for its profound ability to reshape our understanding of history, memory, and the intricate bonds of human connection.
Commonly referred to as "genius grants," the MacArthur Fellowships are among the most coveted honors in the United States, distinguished not only by their prestige but by their unique structure. Each of the 20 fellows will receive a no-strings-attached award of $800,000, distributed over a period of five years. Unlike most grants, which are tied to specific projects or academic institutional requirements, the MacArthur Fellowship is an investment in the person rather than a particular product. The stipend is designed to provide the financial freedom necessary for these thinkers and creators to pursue their creative visions without the constraints of immediate commercial or professional pressure. According to the Foundation, the fellows are chosen based on three primary criteria: exceptional creativity, a promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishments, and a demonstrated potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work.
The 2026 class arrives at a moment when the intersection of art and social impact is under increased scrutiny, and the Foundation’s choices reflect a deep commitment to work that addresses the complexities of the modern world. While the full list of fellows includes a multidisciplinary array of historians, scientists, anthropologists, and composers, the inclusion of three distinct literary voices highlights the enduring power of the written word to serve as a catalyst for societal reflection and change. These writers—one poet and two novelists—represent different facets of the contemporary literary landscape, yet they are united by their dedication to exploring the "human costs" of our shared histories and the "fragile beauty" of our private lives.
Layli Long Soldier, a poet whose work has already garnered significant acclaim for its formal innovation and political resonance, is among those honored this year. The MacArthur Foundation’s citation recognizes her for "exploring ways to articulate Native American histories and celebrate enduring kinship, strength and creativity." Long Soldier’s work is perhaps best known for its dual commitment to linguistic precision and historical accountability. Her poetry often grapples with the legacy of the United States’ relationship with Indigenous nations, using the very language of government treaties and official apologies to expose the gaps between political rhetoric and lived reality.
In her writing, Long Soldier does more than document historical trauma; she actively reconstructs a sense of Lakota identity and kinship through the use of language and space on the page. Her work is characterized by a "rigor" that the Foundation identifies as a hallmark of its fellows—a refusal to settle for easy answers or conventional structures. By deconstructing the English language and integrating Lakota concepts, she creates a poetic space where Native histories are not merely subjects of the past, but living, breathing forces that continue to shape the present. Her recognition as a MacArthur Fellow underscores the importance of poetry as a tool for historical reclamation and the celebration of cultural endurance in the face of systemic erasure.
Joining Long Soldier in the 2026 class is the fiction writer Maaza Mengiste, whose novels have been praised for their sweeping historical scope and intimate emotional depth. The Foundation cited Mengiste for "revealing the human costs of political violence through a compelling blend of history, memory, and imagination." Mengiste’s work frequently centers on the history of Ethiopia, particularly during periods of conflict and revolution. Her narratives often focus on the marginalized figures who are frequently left out of official historical records—specifically the women who fought and suffered during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia and the subsequent years of political upheaval.
Mengiste’s writing is a testament to the power of the "imagination" to fill the voids left by "history and memory." Her work does not merely recount the facts of war; it explores the psychological and physical toll that political violence exacts on individuals and families. By blending meticulous historical research with a lyrical, evocative prose style, she forces readers to confront the complexities of resistance, complicity, and survival. The MacArthur Fellowship provides Mengiste with the resources to continue her exploration of these difficult themes, ensuring that the stories of those silenced by history continue to be told with the nuance and gravity they deserve.
The third literary writer recognized this year is Bryan Washington, a fiction writer whose work offers a more contemporary, yet equally profound, exploration of the human experience. Washington was cited for "capturing the fragile beauty of modern relationships in stories shaped by place, memory, and rituals of daily care." Washington’s work is deeply rooted in the geography of Houston, Texas, a city he treats not just as a setting, but as a vital, breathing character that influences the lives and interactions of his protagonists. His stories and novels are celebrated for their authentic portrayal of multicultural, queer, and working-class lives, often centered around the domestic spaces where "rituals of daily care"—such as cooking, cleaning, and quiet conversation—take place.
Washington’s inclusion in the 2026 class highlights the Foundation’s appreciation for work that finds the extraordinary in the ordinary. His writing avoids the sensational, focusing instead on the subtle shifts in modern relationships and the ways in which people navigate grief, intimacy, and belonging. The "fragile beauty" mentioned in his citation refers to the precarious nature of human connection in an increasingly fragmented world. By elevating the importance of "place" and "memory," Washington creates a literary world that feels both specific and universal, offering a compassionate look at the diverse ways in which we care for one another.
The selection of these three writers reflects the MacArthur Foundation’s broader mission to support individuals who are not only masters of their craft but who also "demonstrate the ability to impact society in significant and beneficial ways." In the case of Long Soldier, Mengiste, and Washington, that impact is felt through the expansion of the literary canon to include voices and histories that have long been sidelined. Their work challenges readers to look more closely at the world around them, whether that means confronting the historical injustices of the state, acknowledging the hidden victims of war, or finding meaning in the small, daily acts of love and labor that sustain us.
The $800,000 award comes at a time when the financial stability of many creative professionals is increasingly uncertain. For writers like these, the five-year disbursement offers a rare form of security that can lead to even more ambitious and groundbreaking work. The MacArthur Fellowship is not a lifetime achievement award, but rather a "seed grant" for future innovation. By removing the financial barriers that often hinder long-term creative projects, the Foundation allows its fellows to take risks, experiment with new forms, and delve deeper into the complex subjects that define their work.
As the 2026 class of MacArthur Fellows begins their five-year journey with the support of the Foundation, the literary community and the public at large can look forward to the continued evolution of these three powerful voices. Layli Long Soldier, Maaza Mengiste, and Bryan Washington have already proven themselves to be essential chroniclers of our time. With the "no-strings-attached" freedom of the "genius grant," their potential to further impact society through their pioneering work is greater than ever. The Foundation’s recognition of their "exceptional creativity" serves as a reminder of the vital role that writers play in helping us navigate the complexities of our history and the intricacies of our shared humanity.
