NSF NCAR scientist Marika Holland named a MacArthur Fellow
The “genius grant” recognizes extraordinarily talented and creative individuals
Sep 29, 2026 - by Laura Snider
Marika Holland at the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab in Boulder, Colorado. Image: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Marika Holland, a senior scientist at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), has been named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow. These prestigious awards are given to extraordinarily talented and creative individuals as an investment in their potential.
Holland studies Earth’s polar regions and their interactions with the global climate system. Her research is primarily focused on the role of sea ice, including long-term sea ice change, sea ice predictability, and polar climate variability. She has extensive experience in using Earth system models and has been active in the development of improved sea ice models for climate simulations.
“We are delighted that Marika has been recognized for her profound contributions to our understanding of polar regions,” said NSF NCAR Director Everette Joseph. “This fellowship also recognizes that Marika’s work is not done. She is always seeking to deepen the impact of her work by forging new collaborations, and I look forward to what she will be able to accomplish with this support.”
Holland received her doctoral degree from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1997. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Victoria, she joined NSF NCAR in 1999.
“Polar regions are changing incredibly rapidly, and there’s a great need to understand what those changes mean and what can be done to mitigate them,” Holland said. “We need the fundamental science to inform the answers to those questions, but it’s crucial that physical scientists like myself are able to build partnerships with biologists, social scientists, decisionmakers, affected communities, and others to ensure our work is as impactful as possible. I am excited about the opportunities this award gives me to continue building those connections.”
Holland is the second NSF NCAR scientist to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, commonly referred to as a “genius grant.” Climate scientist Stephen Schneider was named a fellow in 1992. The MacArthur Fellowship comes with an award of $800,000 paid out over five years.
Learn more about the fellowships and Holland’s work on the MacArthur Foundation website.