The Distinguished Scientific Contributions Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions throughout their career to the science of I-O psychology.
This award is given to an individual who has made distinguished empirical and/or theoretical scientific contributions to the field of I-O psychology. The contributions should have advanced the science of I-O psychology with widely-read peer-reviewed publications, development of new areas of research and scientific knowledge, or pioneering of new scientific methodologies. The setting in which the nominee made the contributions (i.e., industry, academia, government) is not relevant.
The recipients of the award is given a plaque and a cash prize of $1,500. In addition, the recipients are invited to give an address that relates to their contributions at the subsequent SIOP conference.
Administrative Procedures
- At least five members of the SIOP Awards Subcommittee will review and evaluate each nomination package and recommend an award winner(s) to the SIOP Executive Board. Two or more nominees may be recommended if their contributions are similarly distinguished.
- The Executive Board may either endorse or reject the recommendations of the Awards Subcommittee but may not substitute a nominee of its own.
- In the absence of a nominee who is deemed deserving of the award by both the Awards Subcommittee and the Executive Board, the award may be withheld.
Composition of the Subcommittee
- Subcommittee members must be SIOP Fellows who have published extensively in I-O psychology journals, or previous recipients of this award, or current or previous Editors or Associate Editors of I-O psychology journals.
- At least half of the Subcommittee members should have a primary appointment in a psychology department.
- Diversity of all types is encouraged, including non-U.S. based members.
Criteria for Eligibility
Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Breadth and/or depth of the nominee’s empirical or theoretical contributions to the science of I-O psychology.
- The quality of the nominee’s scientific work (e.g., adherence to the scientific method, creativity of research designs, soundness of conclusions), as opposed to a mere count of citations or publications in particular journals.
- The impact of the nominee’s contributions on the science of I-O psychology, including the impact that the work has had on the work of students and colleagues.
- The extent to which the nominee has made significant contributions throughout their career.
- The stature of the nominee as a scientist vis-à-vis other prominent scientists in the field of I-O psychology. Stature could be reflected in many ways, including receipt of large grants, chaired research-based positions, service as a journal editor, service on expert/blue-ribbon committees, and service as a technical scientific expert.
Call for Nominations
Nomination Guidelines
- A nomination letter by a SIOP member is required. Self-nominations are welcome.
- Only SIOP members may be nominated for the award.
- The nomination package should also include: a current curriculum vitae, three to five letters of support, and any additional materials that illustrate the contributions of the nominee.
- The letter of nomination, CV, and all supporting letters and materials must be submitted online by the nominator.
- When submitting the nomination materials, nominators will also be asked if the nominee is being investigated, or has been found responsible, for misconduct prohibited in SIOP’s Anti-Harassment Policy and to provide a brief explanation if this is the case.
Current Award Recipients

Award Type
Distinguished & Career Awards