Recipients may use the awards as they please, with no papers or reports required by the foundation. His work has focused on topics as diverse as elephant poaching in Africa, the link between behavioral choice and the incidence of AIDS, and a study of population growth and technological change from 1 million BC to 1990. He also has formulated a plan to involve government in the patent-buying process that would place socially important inventions in the public domain immediately, without discouraging future innovation. Committed to educational improvement in the Third World, Professor Kremer founded WorldTeach, an organization that supplies teachers to developing regions and has offices in 15 countries worldwide. He learned that he was one of 23 new MacArthur Fellows when he returned from a one-week visit to Kenya.
Government grants are great, but they take time.
With this, as soon as an opportunity presents itself I can take advantage of it. Institute Professor John H. Harbison of music, Professor Evelyn Fox Keller of STS, Professor Eric S. Lander of biology, Professor Heather N. Lechtman of archaeology, Professor David C. Page of biology, Professor Michael J. Piore of economics, Visiting Professor Charles F. Sabel of political science, Research Affiliate Richard M. Stallman of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Professor Alar Toomre of mathematics and Professor Jack Wisdom of earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences. A native of Manhattan, KS, where both his parents teach at Kansas State University, Professor Kremer does not think the fellowship will affect his life dramatically. Individuals cannot apply for MacArthur Fellowships. Their nominations are evaluated by a 12-member selection committee, which also serves anonymously and makes its recommendations to the foundation's board of directors.