Recommendation Letter for Scholarship: Samples and Format

A recommendation letter for scholarship applications gives a committee an informed assessment of your preparation, work and potential. It is normally written by an eligible teacher, academic supervisor or professional referee who knows you well. This guide explains whom to ask, what to include and how submission works. It also provides three original examples for different referee relationships. The scholarship’s own rules decide the number, format and acceptable writers.

A useful reference does more than call someone hardworking. It explains how the writer knows the applicant and supports the assessment with observations. The strongest details are relevant to the opportunity and can be checked if the receiving institution asks.

“Help your referee understand your recent background with a clear academic record. Our guide on how to write a professional CV can help you organize the supporting information.”

Recommendation letter for scholarship: who can write it?

Read the award’s referee rules before making a request. An academic application may require university teachers or research supervisors. Some professional or leadership awards also accept workplace supervisors. A senior title alone does not make someone the best referee; direct knowledge of your work matters.

• Academic referee: a teacher, lecturer, professor or supervisor who has assessed relevant work.
• Professional referee: a line manager or project supervisor, when the program permits this category.
• Community referee: a supervisor of relevant service or leadership, only when accepted by the award.
• Personal contact: use only if the instructions expressly allow it; many academic applications reject personal references.

Oxford’s advice on choosing a referee emphasizes the value of someone familiar with the applicant’s work. Consider the required category as well as the relationship. If you cannot meet the stated requirement, contact the admissions or scholarship office before substituting someone else.

How many letters and how long?

There is no universal requirement for two letters or a fixed 300–500-word limit. Use the current award instructions. As one institution-specific example, Oxford asks graduate applicants to register three referees. Its reference-writing guidance normally suggests 500–1,000 words and no more than two pages. Other awards can differ.

“For the China-specific route, read our CSC recommendation letter templates and check the chosen university’s current referee requirements.”

Recommendation letter format and request checklist

The writer should organize the letter around evidence they can personally support. The structure below is a practical starting point. A portal questionnaire or award-specific form may replace a conventional letter.

• Heading: date, referee’s name, role and institution or organization, as required.
• Opening: applicant’s name, opportunity and the writer’s relationship with the applicant.
• Evidence: specific work, responsibilities, achievements or development observed by the referee.
• Assessment: why those observations matter for the proposed course or award.
• Closing: a clear recommendation and an appropriate contact route.
• Authentication: letterhead, signature and submission method required by the receiving program.

How to request a reference

1. Choose a referee who meets the current rules and knows relevant work.
2. Ask whether they can provide a supportive reference by the deadline.
3. Share the award link, your CV and useful factual reminders.
4. Explain the submission route, time zone and any required form.
5. Allow reasonable preparation time and check receipt politely.

A short request can be enough: “Dear [Title and name], I am applying for [award/program]. Would you be willing to provide a reference by [date and time zone]? You supervised [course/project] in [period]. I can send my CV, the selection criteria and a summary of the work you assessed. The reference must be submitted through [official method].”

“Your statement explains your own reasons for applying. Our motivation letter guide can help you prepare that separate document while your referee writes an independent assessment.”

Sample 1: academic recommendation letter

This original example is for a teacher or academic supervisor. It is not a verified successful letter or an official form. Bracketed details and example observations must be replaced with accurate information. The actual referee must review, write or approve and submit the reference as the program requires.

Academic referee example

Dear Scholarship Selection Committee,

I am pleased to recommend [Applicant’s full name] for [scholarship or program]. I taught [name] in [course] and supervised [project or other assessed work] during [period]. These responsibilities gave me an opportunity to observe their academic preparation, response to feedback and ability to work through an unfamiliar problem.

In [specific assignment or project], [name] investigated [brief description]. Their contribution involved [observed task]. When [specific difficulty] arose, they [action witnessed by the referee]. The resulting [report, analysis or other output] demonstrated [relevant ability]. This example is a stronger basis for my assessment than a general description of their enthusiasm.

I also observed [second relevant example, such as careful revision, collaboration or communication]. Their approach improved in [specific way] during the period I taught them. Where a comparison is useful and permitted, [give a truthful comparison and explain the group or period used].

Based on the work I have assessed, I believe [name] is prepared for [specific demands of the proposed study]. Their interest in [relevant field] is supported by [evidence known to the writer]. I recommend their application and would be glad to clarify my assessment through the contact details below.

Sincerely, [Referee’s name, title, department, institution and professional contact details]

More examples for different referee relationships

Sample 2: professional supervisor

Dear Selection Committee,

I recommend [Applicant’s name] for [scholarship]. As [role] at [organization], I supervised their work on [team or project] from [date] to [date]. My assessment concerns their professional performance and the skills relevant to [proposed program or award purpose].

During [specific assignment], [name] was responsible for [verified responsibility]. They [observed action], which contributed to [accurate outcome]. Their work required [relevant skill], and I saw them develop this through [feedback or learning example]. Avoid adding numerical results unless they can be supported.

Another useful example is [specific collaboration, leadership or problem-solving task]. [Name] handled [situation] by [action]. This experience supports my view that they can benefit from further training in [area]. The proposed study would build on work I have directly observed, rather than an unrelated career claim.

I support [name]’s application on this basis. Please contact me at [professional contact] if further information about their responsibilities or performance is needed.

Best regards, [Referee’s name, position and organization]

Sample 3: community or service supervisor

Use this example only when the award accepts a community or service reference.

Dear Scholarship Committee,

I have supervised [Applicant’s name] through [organization or activity] since [date]. Their role has included [verified responsibilities]. Their service and commitment in this setting provide the basis for my recommendation for [award].

For example, during [specific activity], [name] [action witnessed by the writer]. This helped [accurate outcome] and required [relevant skill or behavior]. They also responded to [challenge or feedback] by [specific response]. These observations illustrate their contribution more clearly than broad claims about character.

Based on this work, I believe [name] can contribute to [relevant award objective]. My reference is limited to the responsibilities I supervised. I would be happy to provide further context through [contact route].

Respectfully, [Referee’s name, role and organization]

Submission, authenticity and final checks

Check whether the applicant uploads a signed letter or the referee must use a confidential portal. These routes are not interchangeable. Oxford’s registration instructions require direct referee submission; that is an Oxford rule, not a worldwide upload rule.

The Fulbright US Student Program’s recommendation instructions also use an online recommender process. This is a separate program-specific example. Follow the instructions for your actual award and country rather than applying one scheme’s procedure to every scholarship.

• The referee category and number match the current award rules.
• The applicant, scholarship and institution names are correct.
• Examples reflect the writer’s own knowledge and accurate records.
• Any required letterhead, signature and contact details are present.
• The language, file format and size meet the portal instructions.
• The correct person submits the reference before the relevant deadline.
• The applicant checks receipt through the official process.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not invent a signature, institutional logo, relationship or achievement. Avoid submitting the same generic sample as though it were a real referee’s assessment. An applicant can provide a CV and factual reminders, but must not impersonate the referee. Follow any rules on confidentiality, drafting assistance and AI use.

“Contacting a potential research supervisor is a different task from requesting an existing referee’s assessment. Our professor email guide explains how to make that first research inquiry.”

Official university and program guidance reviewed November 1, 2026. The examples above were written for this guide. They do not replace a scholarship’s own reference form, submission rules or referee eligibility requirements.