2008 MacArthur Fellows Announced. (September 24, 2008)

This year's 25 winners of the so-called genius grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation were informed last week.

The awards, given out annually since 1981, come with $500,000 over 5 years and no strings attached and no accountability required. The foundation conducts a private search to identify people who have demonstrated creativity and the potential to continue to make major contributions to their respective fields.

There is no age limit, this year the youngest is 30, the eldest, 76, and the fields of endeavour represented are disparate, ranging from astrophysics to urban farming.

 Mark Fitzsimmons, associate director of the fellows programme said: "This year's group represents those we feel best represent the creativity that we're trying to support."

Click here to see a full list of the 2008 fellows, their interests and their accomplishments.