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The Wanta Thome Economic Impact of Workplace Discrimination Scholarship

$3,000 for a student researching how workplace discrimination and retaliation affect workers, employers, and the economy.

$3,000

Deadline
April 30, 2027
Open to
Undergraduate and graduate students nationwide
Apply now

Meet our 2026 recipient,
Sophia Lovett

Sophia was about to study Philosophy, Politics, and Law on a pre-law track, after a high school career of Model UN and nearly every humanities course on offer. Her interest in law started in 2020 with the TV series Suits — the confidence, the legalese, the image of it. What kept her was realizing how little the real job resembles the show: the lawyers she’s come to know all help people — through estate planning, workplace discrimination cases, or other advocacy. That’s why she truly wants to become a lawyer: to take pride and happiness in knowing she helps others for a living.

Sophia Lovett, 2026 scholarship recipient

Sophia’s words

“I feel grateful and confident that this scholarship will go toward something I value: education. I’ve relied on scholarships for years to attend private school, and I’ll keep relying on them in college. Earning this one is a blessing, and it shows me how capable I am.

Going to college in California has always been my dream. Coming from Upstate New York, people tried to discourage me — the cost of living in LA, the distance, the lifestyle. I never doubted myself or my goals. I know who I am, and I believe I can build a future where those sacrifices are worth it. This scholarship makes that feel more attainable. Beyond the financial support, it’s recognition of my work ethic, values, and discipline — things I’ll carry into my career.”

“Thank you, Wanta Thome. I’m grateful for organizations that invest in education directly, through the student.”

What this scholarship
supports

We fund students studying the economic consequences of workplace discrimination and retaliation — how unfair treatment affects the people who experience it, the organizations where it happens, and the economy as a whole.

Strong applications examine these effects with data. We’re looking for research that documents what discrimination and retaliation actually cost, and that proposes something to do about it. Whether that work sits in law, economics, sociology, public policy, or somewhere between them matters less than the rigor behind it.

Wanta Thome partner talking with other attorneys outdoors

Why a law firm funds this

We see the cost of workplace discrimination one case at a time — a lost job, a career derailed, wages that never got paid. What we don’t see is the scale. That’s what researchers measure, and it’s what moves policy. Funding that work is a way to address the problem further upstream than a lawsuit can reach.

Who can apply

  • Field of study

    Undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees in law (J.D.), public policy, economics, sociology, business, or a related field

  • Academic standing

    Minimum 3.5 GPA and good overall academic standing

  • Location

    Open to students nationwide, with preference given to those studying at institutions in Minnesota or Illinois

  • Not eligible

    Employees of Wanta Thome, their immediate family (parent, child, sibling, spouse), and anyone living in the same household, related or not

What you’ll need

01 Academic Interest Statement

750–1,000 words Address both parts

Your academic goals:

  • Your specific interest in workplace discrimination and economic justice
  • Relevant coursework you’ve completed or plan to take
  • Your career aspirations in this field
  • How you intend to contribute to workplace equity research

Your educational preparation:

  • Academic projects or papers relevant to this work
  • Research methods coursework completed or planned
  • Technical skills you’re developing — statistical analysis, economic modeling, and the like
  • Any interdisciplinary approaches you’re pursuing

02 Personal Statement

500–750 words

Tell us about your broader commitment to workplace equity, the path that brought you to it, and how this scholarship would support where you’re going.

03 Academic Transcript

  • Current students: a transcript from your current school
  • First-year students, graduate students, or recent transfers: an unofficial transcript from your current school, plus your most recent official transcript from your prior school
  • High school students: proof of acceptance to your college or university

A note on AI and originality

AI tools are fine for brainstorming and thinking through your ideas. The work you submit must be your own. Submissions may be screened for originality and AI-generated content. We’re funding your thinking, so we need to be reading it.

Applications close April 30, 2027

We review every complete application and select the recipient during the month following the deadline. Applications missing any of the three required items won’t be considered, so check your submission before sending it.

Apply for scholarship

Make sure you’ve prepared all three items before starting — your Academic Interest Statement, your Personal Statement, and your transcript.

If you have any questions, all scholarship inquiries go through a separate dedicated contact form.

We can’t answer scholarship questions by phone, by email, or through any other contact form on this site. Using the link below is the only way to reach us about the scholarship, and it’s the fastest way to get an answer.

Contact about scholarship
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Common questions

Can I apply if I don’t study in Minnesota or Illinois?

Yes. The scholarship is open to students nationwide. We give preference to students at Minnesota and Illinois institutions, but applicants from anywhere in the country are welcome and considered.

Does my research have to be finished already?

No. We fund students planning to engage in this research as much as those already doing it. What matters is that your interest is genuine and your preparation is real — coursework, methods training, and a clear sense of where you’re headed.

What if my major isn’t on the eligible list?

The listed fields are law, public policy, economics, sociology, and business, but “related fields” is meant broadly. If your work genuinely examines the economic effects of workplace discrimination, make that case in your statement.

Can I apply if I applied in a previous year?

Yes. Previous applicants who weren’t selected are welcome to apply again, particularly if your research has developed since. Past recipients aren’t eligible for a second award.

How will I know if I’ve been selected?

The recipient is chosen during the month following the April 30 deadline. [Firm to confirm — this answer needs the firm’s actual notification method.]