NATIONWIDE: Among the recipients of 2015 Guggenheim Fellowships are playwrights Kristoffer Diaz, Lucas Hnath and Dan O’Brien. The fellowship, often characterized as a “midcareer” honor, is in its 91st year of contention for artists in the United States and Canada. This year 173 fellowships were named by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, including two joint Fellowships, to a total of 175 scholars, artists and scientists. Appointed on the basis of prior achievement and exceptional promise, the successful candidates were chosen from a group of more than 3,100 applicants.

Guggenheim fellowships are awarded through two annual competitions: one open to citizens and permanent residents of the United States and Canada, and the other open to citizens and permanent residents of Latin America and the Caribbean. Candidates must apply to the Guggenheim Foundation in order to be considered in either of these competitions.

The Guggenheim does not disclose the amount of money bestowed on fellows, which they are free to spend in any way they deem best supports their work.