Punch Brothers madolin player and composer Chris Thile was one of 23 recipients of a $500,000 award.

The MacArthur Foundation's "genius grants" are given in a secrecy-shrouded process in which winners have no idea they've been nominated until they receive a call, according to the AP.

The $500,000 grants are paid over five years and allow the recipients to pursue a creative vision in fields ranging from medicine to journalism. Recipients do not have to report how they spend the money.