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.
Application Procedure
Applicants for the George C. Thornton, III Graduate Scholarship must submit:
- An electronic copy of their graduate transcript
- A self-statement of graduate program research and practice accomplishments, graduate program goals, and career aspirations
- A summary of the nominee’s master’s thesis not to exceed 10 pages* (12-point font, 1” margins, double spaced); the summary must adhere to APA formatting guidelines.
- A curriculum vitae that includes work assignments, paid or unpaid, related to I-O psychology, conference presentations and attendance, publications, and service to the graduate program and field
- Letters of support) from graduate faculty (at least 1 and no more than 3
- Letters of support from field supervision (at least 1 and no more than 3)
*NOTE: Figures or tables may be included only if they can be incorporated into the 10-page limit. A list of references should be included with the summary; references will not be included in the 10-page limit. Summaries should be double spaced, 12-point font, with 1” margins.
All documentation must be submitted online by the applicant and be in either Word or as a pdf file.
Award Administration
Based on their review of all applicants, the Thornton Scholarship Subcommittee will identify a Scholarship recipient. The subcommittee reserves the right to recommend that the Scholarship be withheld if a suitable candidate does not apply.
Although a student can apply for multiple SIOP scholarships/fellowships, he or she cannot win multiple scholarships/fellowships in the same year. If an individual is recommended to receive a scholarship/fellowship by two different subcommittees, the Awards Chair for grants and scholarships will make the determination of which award the individual will receive.
The award will be distributed to the student in a single payment and may be used for graduate school expenses (without additional restriction). The student will have two options regarding the award stipend: (a) to receive the stipend directly; or (b) to have the stipend 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 stipend.
Criteria for Eligibility
Evaluation Criteria
At least three members of the Thornton Graduate Scholarship Committee (appointed by the Awards Committee Chair) will review and evaluate each applicant on the following criteria.
- A combination of science and practice in the candidate’s practice (field) experiences and academic experiences
- Scientific merit – includes an appreciation for and demonstration of competence in basic and applied research endeavors. Such merit might be demonstrated by:
- Superior performance in statistics, methods, and measurement courses
- Active participation in weekly research seminars or discussions
- Timely completion of the master’s thesis
- Initiation of and participation in research studies beyond the master’s thesis
- Dissemination of research findings in publications and/or presentations
- Attendance at and participation in scientific conferences
- Practitioner merit – includes an appreciation for and demonstration of competence in the application of theories, methods, and research findings in organizational settings. Such merit might be demonstrated by:
- Participation in field projects with evidence of high-quality outcomes
- Completion of applied research studies
- Contribution to consulting activities
- Completion of an internship where the student displayed the characteristics of the scientist/practitioner model
- Faculty and field supervision recommendations supporting the student’s merit on the above criteria.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- PhD student in I-O psychology
- SIOP Student Member
- Completed the master’s degree in I-O psychology in order to have enough background to demonstrate excellence in the field
Past recipients of the Thornton Scholarship are not eligible.
Current Award Recipients

Award Type
Scholarships, Scholarships & Fellowships