Ocean Research And Conservation Association News

A technologist, a deep-sea explorer and a computer scientist are among 25 people to each receive a $500,000 US so-called "genius grant" for exceptional talent and creativity in their fields of study, a private U.S. philanthropic foundation announced. The fellowships awarded by the The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, worth a total of $12.5 million US, are given to individuals who display "exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishment, and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work," the organization said in a statement. Grant winner and deep-sea explorer Edith Widder, 55, of Ft. Pierce, Fla.