Wanta Thome Economic Impact of Workplace Discrimination Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Wanta Thome PLC

Overview
The Wanta Thome Employment Lawyers Scholarship supports student research into the economic effects of workplace discrimination and retaliation. Projects should analyze how unfair treatment influences employees, employers, and broader economic outcomes, using empirical, data-driven methods to document impacts and propose remedies. Through this award, Wanta Thome hopes to stimulate scholarship that advances policy change, advocacy, and more equitable workplaces.

Key Dates and Award
- Application deadline: April 30, 2026
- Award amount: $3,000.00

Who May Apply
- Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in law (J.D.), public policy, economics, sociology, business, or related disciplines.
- Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and be in good academic standing.
- The competition is open to students across the United States; applicants attending institutions in Minnesota or Illinois will receive preference.
- Ineligible: Wanta Thome employees, their immediate family members (parents, children, siblings, spouses), and anyone living in the same household as those employees (related or not).

Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials by the deadline:

1) Academic Interest Statement (500–750 words)
Explain your scholarly focus and training related to workplace discrimination and economic justice. Address:
- Your specific research interests in discrimination and its economic consequences
- Relevant coursework completed or planned
- How this topic fits into your career goals
- Ways you intend to contribute to workplace-equity research going forward

Also include details on educational preparation:
- Relevant academic projects, papers, or prior research
- Research methods coursework completed or anticipated
- Technical skills you are developing (for example, statistical analysis, econometric modeling)
- Any interdisciplinary approaches you are employing

Academic integrity note: You may use tools to brainstorm, but the submitted essay must be your own original work. Submissions may be screened for originality, including alerts for AI-generated content.

2) Personal Statement (500–750 words)
Describe your personal and academic commitment to workplace equity, the trajectory of your academic journey, and how receiving this scholarship would help you achieve your goals.

3) Academic Transcript
Provide a transcript from your current institution. First-year college students, recent transfers, or graduate students may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school together with the most recent official transcript from their previous institution. High school applicants should submit proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university.

Selection Timeline and Contact
The scholarship recipient will be selected during the month following the application deadline. For questions about the scholarship, please use the scholarship contact form on our website. We are unable to respond to scholarship inquiries by phone, regular email, or by other contact forms on this site.