NEW YORK — This year, ten authors working on nonfiction projects have been awarded the notable Whiting grants, each receiving $40,000 for their contributions to literature. The topics under exploration this time span from the life of the renowned writer Edgar Allan Poe to the controversial actions of subway vigilante Bernhard Goetz.

Established in 2016, the Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grants recognize and support talented authors. Previous recipients include distinguished names like George Packer, Ilyon Woo, and Meghan O’Rourke. The latest cohort, revealed recently, encompasses an impressive lineup of projects that delve into various significant historical and cultural themes.

Included among the awardees are Emily Ogden, whose work “Frailties: How Poe Helps Us Live with Ourselves” explores the influence of Poe on personal identity, and Heather Ann Thompson, who addresses the implications of Goetz’s actions in “Fear and Fury: Bernhard Goetz and the Rebirth of White Vigilantism in American History.” Hannah Zeavin’s entry, “All Freud’s Children: A Story of Inheritance,” is also part of this year’s selections.

Other recipients highlight a diverse range of topics: Ronald Williams II with his project “Black Embassy: TransAfrica and the Struggle for Foreign Policy Justice,” Nadim Roberts’ “The Highway,” and Hettie O’Brien’s “Diminishing Returns” join the roster. Additionally, Sarah Esther Maslin is recognized for her work “Nothing Stays Buried,” while Arun Kundnani explores historical narratives in “I Rise in Fire: H. Rap Brown, Jamil Al-Amin, and the Long Revolution.”

James Duesterberg’s “Final Fantasy: A Secret History of the Present” and Leah Broad’s “This Woman’s War: Women and Music in World War II” complete the list of grant recipients.

Courtney Hodell, the director of literary programs at the Whiting Foundation, expressed enthusiasm for this year’s grantees, noting their projects reflect a profound engagement with the intersection between individual experiences and broader societal dynamics. She highlighted that these remarkable authors strive to dismantle complex and sometimes intimidating topics into manageable parts, seeking to comprehend and ultimately neutralize them. “It is brave work that we are proud to support,” Hodell stated, emphasizing the importance of their contributions.