George C. Thornton, III Graduate Scholarship

The George C. Thornton, III Graduate Scholarship offers financial assistance to a doctoral student in I-O psychology who epitomizes the scientist-practitioner model. Dr. Thornton was dedicated to training future I-O psychologists using the scientist-practitioner model—a commitment displayed in his teaching, research, and doctoral supervision activities.

The Thornton Scholarship will be given to a graduate student who exemplifies the scientist-practitioner model. The recipient must have demonstrated achievement in both the science and practice of industrial and organizational psychology.

One $3000 Scholarship will be awarded in the current award cycle.

About George Thornton

The George C. Thornton III Graduate Scholarship is supported by Dr Thornton who is best known for theoretical, research, and practical contributions to the assessment center method. For that and other work he received SIOP’s Distinguished Professional Contributions Award, lifetime achievement awards from professional societies in the United Kingdom and South Africa and from Purdue University. He published 6 books and numerous scholarly articles, spoke at conferences, and consulted with organizations, many with colleagues, in 12 countries. Thornton espoused and practiced the scientific-practitioner model.

Eligibility

Nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Enrolled full-time and in good standing in a PhD program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at a regionally accredited university or college. Eligibility is open to students in programs both within and outside the US.
• Student Member of SIOP.
• Completed the master’s degree in I-O psychology to have enough background to demonstrate excellence in the field.
• Past recipients of the Thornton Scholarship are not eligible.

Application Procedures

Applicants for the George C. Thornton, III Graduate Scholarships must submit:

• A one-page, single-spaced self-statement of their graduate program goals and career aspirations.
• A summary of the student’s current and planned research program, including an explanation of research design(s) and other important aspects of the projects (especially those relevant to the evaluation criteria). Summaries should not exceed 10 pages of text (this does not include: references, tables and figures, and appendices). The summary should be double spaced and use a 12-point font and 1” margins.

• The applicant’s curriculum vitae (CV)

• Letters of support, from graduate faculty, (at least 1 and no more than 2). The letters should comment on the applicant’s quality of work and fit with the award criteria. If multiple, please consolidate into one upload able file.
• Letters of support, from field supervision, (at least 1 and no more than 2). The letters should comment on the applicant’s quality of work and fit with the award criteria. If multiple, please consolidate into one upload able file.

• Eligibility verification form completed by the student’s advisor or program chair indicating that the student is actively engaged in the program of research described, has the resources to complete proposed research, and that any proposed research has been approved.

All documentation must be submitted online by the applicant and must be either a Word document or a .pdf file.

When submitting application materials, applicants will also be asked if they are being investigated, or have been found responsible, for misconduct prohibited in SIOP’s Anti-Harassment Policy and to provide a brief explanation if this is the case.

Evaluation Criteria

At least three members of the Scholarship Subcommittee will review and evaluate each nominee’s research program.

Nominations will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Demonstrates an ongoing program of research, with some research underway and continued research planned.
• Addresses vital topics at the intersection of work, organizations, and social issues.
• Method(s)/design(s) applied are appropriate for exploring the questions of interest.
• Potential for the advancement of I-O theory.
• Contributes insights into organizational practices that impact individual well-being.

Administrative Procedures

Based on their review of all applicants, the award subcommittee will identify recipients. The subcommittee reserves the right to recommend that the award be withheld if a suitable candidate does not apply.

Although a student can apply for multiple SIOP grants and scholarships, they cannot win multiple awards that fund the same project in the same year. Additionally, a student cannot be funded on multiple scholarships in the same year. If a project is recommended to receive two awards, the Awards Chair for grants and scholarships will make the determination of which award the individual will receive. If an individual is recommended to receive a scholarship by two different subcommittees, the Awards Chair for grants and scholarships will make the determination of which award the individual will receive.

Funds will be distributed to the recipient in a single payment in January following the submission deadline. Funds may be used for graduate school expenses (without additional restriction). The recipient will have two options regarding the award: (a) to receive the funds directly; or (b) to have the funds placed in a “professional development” account at the recipient’s university, contingent upon the regulations and policies of the recipient’s university. The award recipient will be liable for any tax payments associated with the funds.