fellowship application letter of recommendation

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Professional Letters to Support a Fellowship Application

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A letter of recommendation is an integral part of any fellowship application. It provides the selection committee insight into an applicant’s character and qualifications. And this can be a deciding factor in whether or not the applicant is awarded the fellowship. Looking at a  sample letter of recommendation for fellowship program  can be very helpful in getting started with your letter.

Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up some great sample letters that you can refer to in this article. We’ll also share some of the key steps to writing a recommendation letter that’s both informative and enjoyable to read.

What Your Recommendation Letter Should Include

A letter of recommendation for a fellowship should be well-written and tailored to the kind of fellowships the candidate is applying to. It should highlight the candidate’s strengths and explain why they would make a good fit for the program.

Some of the main information you should include in your letter are:

• The candidate’s Name, contact information, and academic history.
• What the fellowship program is about, and the reason why they’re interested in it
• Description of the candidate’s educational and professional achievements.
• Details about the candidate’s qualifications.
• Reasons you think the candidate would be a good fit for the fellowship program.

How to Write a Recommendation Letter for a Fellowship Program

Writing a recommendation letter doesn’t have to be all that complicated. Here are some simple steps that you can follow:

• Start by introducing yourself and stating your position or relationship to the applicant. 
• Share what you know about their academic and professional accomplishments, as well as any other information that may be relevant.
• Highlight specific qualities or traits that make them a strong candidate for the fellowship program. 
• Provide detailed examples of how they have demonstrated these qualities in past experiences or projects.
• Finally, offer your endorsement and say why you believe they would be an excellent fit for the fellowship opportunity.

Professional Sample Letter of Recommendation for Fellowship Program

Dear [Name of Program Head],

I am writing to recommend [Name of Applicant] for the [Name of fellowship program]. I have known [Name of Applicant] for many years and can attest to his intelligence and dedication. He has always been a top student in everything he does, and I am confident he would excel in this program. 

[Name of Applicant] is an excellent communicator and possesses strong critical-thinking skills. He also has a great sense of humor, which makes him fun to be around. In addition to all these qualities, [Name of Applicant] is hardworking and responsible; I know he would take advantage of this opportunity fully. 

If you have any questions about [Name of Applicant]’s qualifications, please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

[Signature]

To Whom It May Concern, 

I am writing to recommend [Name of applicant] for [Name of fellowship program]. I have known [Name of applicant] for many years and have always been impressed by their intelligence and work ethic.

In addition to being an excellent student, [Name of applicant] is also highly well-rounded and has a wide range of interests. I can think of no one who will be better suited for this opportunity than [Name of applicant].

If you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Sincerely, 

I am writing to recommend Kevin Smith for the XYZ Fellowship. I have worked with John extensively in a leadership capacity and can attest to his leadership strengths.

In our work together, he has consistently shown himself to be competent, innovative, and motivated. For example, during our last project together, John proved himself instrumental in developing an original solution that saved the team time and resources. 

I truly believe that John would excel as a fellow at XYZ organization, and I commend him for your consideration. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at 555-555-1234. 

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Wrapping Up

A letter of recommendation plays a crucial role in a student’s success in applying for a competitive fellowship. They are one of the most influential elements in an application next to the student’s essays . As such, you shouldn’t take writing your recommendation letter lightly.

The letter should be professional and concise and speak to their qualifications and potential. Hopefully, you’ve gained some ideas on how to better write your letter through the  sample letter of recommendation for fellowship program  in this article.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Sample Recommendation Letter for Fellowship Applicant

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A good recommendation letter can help you stand out among other fellowship applicants. You will most likely need at least two letters of recommendation as part of the application process. The best recommendations will come from people who know you well and can offer specific information about you as a student, person, or employee.

The sample recommendation letter shown below has been reprinted (with permission) from EssayEdge.com, which did not write or edit this sample recommendation letter. However, it is a good example of how a business recommendation should be formatted for a fellowship application.

Sample Recommendation Letter for a Fellowship

To Whom It May Concern:

I am proud to recommend a beloved student, Kaya Stone, for your fellowship program . I was asked to write as one who has functioned in the capacity of an employer of Kaya, but I would first like to say a few words about him as a student.

Kaya is a highly intelligent, perceptive young man. He came to our institution committed to capitalizing on the opportunity of his third year of study in Israel, and he left with the satisfaction of having accomplished that goal. Kaya grew in learning, in character, in his depth of understanding. He seeks truth in each area of his life, whether in learning, discussing philosophy, or relating to his fellow students and his teachers. Because of his positive disposition, his reflective way of operating, and all of the character traits that make him so special, Kaya’ s questions never go unanswered, and his searches always bring him to exciting discoveries. As a student , Kaya is outstanding. As an educator, I have watched him grow, seen his talents and abilities not only in the classroom but outside its walls when interacting with all types of people as well.

During his time at our institution, Kaya, who as I’m sure you know is an excellent writer and publicist, also has done a good deal of work for the yeshiva. This has included the text for many public relations brochures and packets, letters to parents, potential donors, and alumni, and essentially any correspondence which I have requested that he compose. The feedback is always overwhelmingly positive, and he has done so much in that way for our yeshiva. Even today, while he studies elsewhere, he continues to do a great deal of this work for our institution, in addition to the recruiting and other services he performs for the yeshiva.

Always, in his work, Kaya is consistent, dedicated and passionate, enthusiastic, cheerful, and a pleasure to work with. He has incredible creative energies and a refreshing idealism tempered only enough to accomplish what needs to be done. I highly recommend him for any position of work, leadership, education, or any other capacity in which he can spread his excitement and share his talents with others. At our institution, we are expecting big things from Kaya in the way of educational and communal leadership in the years to come. And knowing Kaya, he will not disappoint, and probably will exceed our expectations.

Thank you once again for the opportunity to recommend such a special and impressive young man.

Sincerely Yours,

Steven Rudenstein Dean, Yeshiva Lorentzen Chainani

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Letter of Recommendation for a Fellowship (Template)

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A letter of recommendation for fellowship is a letter written to a fellowship committee on behalf of a candidate. The letter should highlight the candidate's strengths and why they would be a good fit for the fellowship. It is important to tailor the letter to the specific fellowship for which the candidate is applying.

A letter of recommendation for fellowship should include

• The candidate's name, contact information, and academic history.
• Details about the fellowship program and why the candidate is interested in it.
• A description of the candidate's academic and professional achievements.
• Details about the candidate's skills and qualifications.
• Why the candidate would be a good fit for the fellowship program.

A letter of recommendation for a fellowship should be well-written and tailored to the specific fellowship for which the candidate is applying. It should highlight the candidate's strengths and explain why they would be a good fit for the program. The letter should be professional and concise, and it should be signed by someone who knows the candidate well and can speak to their qualifications.

There are many different types of fellowships, and each one requires a different type of recommendation letter. However, most fellowship applications require letters from professors or other professionals who can speak to your academic or professional achievements.

The following are four sample letters of recommendation for a fellowship application. Each letter is tailored to a specific type of fellowship.

Letter for a research fellowship

Dear _________,

It is my great pleasure to recommend ____________ for a research fellowship at your esteemed institution. ____________ is an outstanding young scholar with an impressive record of academic achievement. His/Her work in the field of ____________ has already garnered his/her national recognition, and I do not doubt that she will continue to produce groundbreaking research during his/her fellowship.

I have had the privilege of working with ____________ for several years, and I can attest to his/her passion for her work and her dedication to excellence. He/She is an excellent student and a gifted researcher, and I am confident that she will make significant contributions to the field of ____________ during his/her fellowship.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about ____________'s qualifications or suitability for this fellowship. I am happy to provide additional information.

Thank you for your consideration.

(Your Name)

(Your Email)

Letter for a teaching fellowship

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to recommend __________ for the teaching fellowship she has applied for. I have had the pleasure of working with ____________ as his/her teacher during the past school year, and I can say without hesitation that he/she is an outstanding educator.

____________ has a true passion for teaching, and he/she is constantly seeking new ways to engage her students in learning. He/She has a gift for taking complex concepts and making them understandable for students of all ages. His/Her classroom is always lively and engaging, and his/her students are always eager to learn more.

__________would be an excellent addition to any teaching team, and I highly recommend her for the teaching fellowship he/she has applied for. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Letter for a grant writing fellowship

Dear (the person you are recommending),

I am very pleased to recommend (name of the person you are recommending) for the grant writing fellowship. (He/She) is an exceptional writer and has a true gift for crafting compelling proposals. I have worked with (him/her) on numerous proposals, and I can attest to (his/her) skills in this area.

Moreover, (name of the person you are recommending) is a motivated and hard-working individual who is always willing to go the extra mile. I am confident that (he/she) will be an asset to any organization that hires (him/her).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Letter for a general fellowship

I am writing in regards to the general fellowship that I saw advertised online. I am extremely interested in the opportunity and would love to learn more about it.

I am a recent graduate of (university name) with a degree in (major). I have experience in (relevant experience) , and I believe that I would be a great candidate for the fellowship.

I am eager to learn more about the program and what is required of me. Can you please send me more information, including the application deadline? I look forward to hearing from you soon.

(Your name)

Final Thoughts

When writing a letter of recommendation for fellowship, it is important to highlight the applicant's qualifications and to express your confidence in their ability to succeed. 

You should also be sure to include any relevant information about your relationship with the applicant, such as how long you have known them and what you have observed of their work ethic and academic ability.

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About the author

Patrick Algrim is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), NCDA Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and general career expert. Patrick has completed the NACE Coaching Certification Program (CCP). And has been published as a career expert on Forbes , Glassdoor , American Express , Reader's Digest , LiveCareer , Zety , Yahoo , Recruiter.com , SparkHire , SHRM.org , Process.st , FairyGodBoss , HRCI.org , St. Edwards University , NC State University , IBTimes.com , Thrive Global , TMCnet.com , Work It Daily , Workology , Career Guide , MyPerfectResume , College Career Life , The HR Digest , WorkWise , Career Cast , Elite Staffing , Women in HR , All About Careers , Upstart HR , The Street , Monster , The Ladders , Introvert Whisperer , and many more. Find him on LinkedIn .

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Expert Consult

Applying for Fellowship: What You Need to Know

By Ole-Petter Hamnvik, MB BCh BAO, MMSc

Published July 21, 2017

Applying for fellowships is a stressful process. It not only involves making major decisions that will impact your life but it also requires creating a competitive application and preparing for high-stakes interviews, all while you are still fulfilling your responsibilities as a resident. NEJM Resident 360 hosted a discussion with a panel of experts on preparing for fellowship to explore many of these issues. In this blog post, I share some personal tips and useful advice from our panel experts on how to be a successful fellowship candidate.

Be the Early Bird

Creating a successful application for fellowship does not start one or two months before applications are due. Starting the process a year before you apply can ensure that you are ahead of the game.

Here are some things to think about during the year before applying: 

Decide on your subspecialty:

You may be someone who knew you wanted to be a cardiologist when you applied to medical school or you may still be undecided about specialties. If you are in the second category, try to find clinical experiences in the subspecialty during your elective period, ambulatory block (for outpatient-focused specialties), or inpatient rotations in specialties that you are considering (for specialties with a heavy inpatient load, such as cardiology and oncology). Talk to fellows and faculty in the specialty to learn what their life is like. Discuss your choices with advisors (e.g., your residency program director) or mentors. You might also find the NEJM Resident 360 blog post Family Medicine, Rad Onc, or OB? How to Choose a Specialty helpful. 

Invest in at least one rotation in your chosen subspecialty:

Most fellowships want at least one letter from a faculty member in the subspecialty that you are applying for. As you set up your schedule for the year, ensure that you have at least one rotation that will give you time with a subspecialty faculty member who can write a letter of recommendation for you.

Take part in research projects to enhance your application :

Depending on your subspecialty and career plans, consider working on a project that either has a research or educational focus or on a case report or case series during the year before you apply. This is particularly important if you plan to have a career that includes nonclinical or nontraditional activities such as research, medical education, health policy, global health, hospital administration, and medical writing. Participating in such activities in addition to patient care will demonstrate your commitment and set you apart from other applicants. 

Take time out of the training path:

Many residents are interested in taking a year off to do research, work as a hospitalist, or act as a chief medical resident. In many cases, this may strengthen your application. However, being away from clinical medicine for too long might elicit concern about your clinical skills when you return to practice. Make sure to address your decision to take time out in your personal statement and be prepared during your interview to explain why you decided to take that path, how you spent this time, and how the experience will help you during fellowship and your career. If you were a hospitalist and practiced independently for an extended period, you may be asked about the challenges of being a trainee again and required to run your plans by someone else. 

Assembling Your Application

As the application submission deadlines loom closer (within 6 months), start collecting all the documents that you need to create your application. Some components depend only on you (e.g., the personal statement and resume) while other parts require input from busy people (e.g., letters of recommendation). The earlier you start, the better! 

Here are the steps required to assemble your application: 

Familiarize yourself with the application requirements:

Most subspecialties use the Electronic Residency Application Service ( ERAS ). Some programs and subspecialties have specific requirements, so you will want to review the ERAS website in detail as well as the relevant fellowship program websites. 

Request letters of recommendation (LoR):

How many? Aim for four letters if the number is not specified. Check program requirements on the ERAS and program websites. 

Who should write the letters? After you review the letter requirements for your programs, think about who can write a meaningful LoR about your abilities as a doctor rather than someone who will rehash your CV. Usually, one of the letters is from your residency program director. Others can be written by clinicians in general medicine or subspecialties with whom you have worked. If you have been involved in research or education projects, get LoRs from your project supervisor. Include at least one letter from a subspecialist in the specialty that you are applying for. 

When should I ask for the letter? Asking for a letter while you are still working with a faculty member is best — and the earlier the better — as this allows them to pay more attention to your performance in real time and perhaps take note of specific strengths or examples. You can provide additional instructions on how to submit the LoR closer to the due date. 

How do I ask for the letter? First, don’t be afraid to ask! All faculty members at institutions with residency programs are accustomed to writing LoRs. You can email your request, but also offer to meet in person to discuss your career plans. Writers based outside of the U.S. may require more guidance. An international faculty member may be brief about your abilities, and this could be perceived more negatively than intended. Providing sample LoRs could be helpful. 

Here are some more helpful tips: 

Ask if they feel they know you well enough to write a positive letter on your behalf

Provide an updated copy of your CV and your personal statement to frame the LoR

Consider noting specific areas on your CV that you would like highlighted

Always remember to thank your letter writers, especially after you match, because they will be curious about the outcome! 

How are the letters submitted? Letters are submitted electronically via ERAS. Make sure you review the ERAS procedure carefully and instruct your letter writers on how to submit their LoRs. 

Write your personal statement:

Your CV and LoR may be prioritized over your personal statement, but programs use your personal statement to learn more about you. The personal statement is the only place in your application where you can add your voice and bring together all of the pieces of your application. Send your personal statement to friends and mentors to ensure that it is error-free. Keep it brief — no more than one page. 

Some questions you may want to ask yourself as you write your personal statement include:

What experiences make you a strong candidate for this program?

What parts of your application suggest that you will have a successful career?

How can you draw the reader’s focus on your unique achievements?

What relevant information is not included elsewhere on the application (e.g., unexplained absences from clinical work or a failed exam)? 

Create your application/CV:

ERAS will prompt you to input all the information that fellowship program directors are looking for, such as education, academic projects, publications, etc. Include all achievements, including ongoing projects. Be prepared to address anything that is on your application during the interview.

Select programs to apply to and submit your application:

Once you have created your application, you will submit it to programs (usually via ERAS). Deciding how many and which programs to apply to will depend on personal preferences, your competitiveness as an applicant, and the type of training you seek. For example, if you are planning a career as a clinician-investigator, focus on academically oriented programs. If you had some struggles during medical school or residency and therefore do not have a very strong application, you may need to apply more broadly. Your residency program director can help you decide how many and what programs to apply to. Look at the fellowship program website to find out the career paths of prior fellows.

Acing the Interview

Fellowship interviews are often a bit more involved than residency interviews. The number of faculty members and trainees is much smaller in the fellowship program, and some fellows may stay on faculty after their fellowship. Therefore, faculty will be considering you as a potential future colleague and want to determine in the interview whether you will be a good fit.

Tips for acing the interview include: 

Be engaged: Show your best side during the interview day. Make sure you are rested. Do not schedule interviews when you are post-call! Be social, put your phone away, and get to know the faculty, fellows, and other applicants.

Practice and prepare : Many residency programs will offer mock interviews with experienced fellowship interviewers. Even if you do not have the opportunity to do a mock interview, prepare answers to commonly asked questions and practice delivering these answers out loud. 

Some interview topics to prepare for include:

talking about yourself

your strengths/weaknesses

describe a challenging patient interaction and how you resolved it

where you want to be in 5 to 10 years (You don’t have to be specific but you should have some sense of what you would like to do and how you will get there.) 

Make sure you know what questions interviewers are not allowed to ask (e.g., what other programs you applied to, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and family status). If any of these questions come up, try to make light of it and take the conversation in a different direction. Let your residency program director know if you are concerned about questions asked during your interview. 

Know your interviewers : Many fellowships will give you the interview schedule ahead of time; make sure you read about the interviewers and their interests. If you know the program has a faculty member that might make a good mentor, make sure to contact the program well ahead of time to see if they can schedule an interview with that person. In addition to the division’s website, you can find useful information about interviewers on PubMed, LinkedIn, Doximity, Google, etc. This information will allow you to find some common points for discussion during the interview. 

Ask questions : You should have read the program’s website in detail before the interview. Reviewing the website of the medical school or the medical center might also be helpful. You may find information on a relevant grant or multidisciplinary initiative. Prepare honest questions to help get to the essence of the type of curriculum the program offers (including clinical experiences you would like to learn more about, research mentorship, or non-clinical training opportunities).

Interact with current fellows: They are on the front lines and can tell you more about call schedules, work hours, and other day-to-day questions than any of the faculty members. In addition, current fellows can give you the inside scoop on the program, the program director, and mentorship.

Send thank you notes: Sending a thank-you note (via email or snail mail) is not required and may not be reciprocated. If your post-interview feelings are genuine, you can choose to send a quick note to express your ongoing interest in the program and you can include specific points, but do not cut and paste a generic thank you note. If there are been major updates to your application, let the program know.

Post-interview communication: The official match policy is to discourage any communication from the program to the applicant after the day of the interview. Therefore, if you do not hear from the program, it does not necessarily indicate a lack of interest in you. However, fellowship programs are not prohibited from contacting you so you may get a call or an email, usually just to check if you have any additional questions. Programs cannot ask you how you are going to rank them. If you have concerns about a post-interview communication, discuss it with your residency program director who can help resolve the situation. 

Once you are done with the interview season, you will need to submit your rank list and wait for match day! Good luck!