By Mihir Thaker, Founder·Updated 4 October 2026·5 min read
Quick answer
A Global Talent peer review recommendation letter must be written for this application by an eminent person with internationally recognised expertise in your field. Exceptional Promise needs one letter, from someone resident in the UK who knows your work. Exceptional Talent needs a second letter from a different person who is a senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field and gives an objective assessment.
If you work outside the UK, your first letter must still come from someone resident in the UK, while the second author is judged by their senior role in a UK organisation, so start finding UK-based referees early.
Who this guide helps
Researchers applying through peer review without a fast-track route
Applicants deciding between Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise
Scientists, engineers and humanities researchers choosing referees
Senior academics asked to write a letter
What you will know
Promise needs one letter. Talent needs two, from two different people.
The first author must be resident in the UK and know your work.
The second author must be a senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field.
Each letter is up to three sides of A4, signed, dated, on headed paper, with the author's CV.
General references and employment contracts are not accepted.
Exceptional Promise needs one letter, Exceptional Talent needs two
These rules are the same for the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the British Academy. Every peer review applicant needs a letter of personal recommendation. Exceptional Talent applicants also need a second letter giving an objective assessment of their reputation in the field. The two letters must be written by different people.
Exceptional Promise: one letter of personal recommendation
Exceptional Talent: the letter of personal recommendation plus an objective assessment letter
The first author must be an eminent person resident in the UK, with internationally recognised expertise in your field, who knows you and your work. The second author must be a senior member of a reputable UK organisation concerned with research or innovation in your field. They do not need to know you personally, and the published rules set no residence requirement for them. Examples of senior roles include Professor, Head of Department, Chief Executive, Vice-Chancellor or Pro Vice-Chancellor.
Letter 1: resident in the UK, familiar with your work, qualified to judge your claim
Letter 2: senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field
Letter 2: an expert able to assess your work independently
The more senior and eminent the author is in your field, the stronger the letter
Each letter must be written for your Global Talent application. A letter written for another reason cannot be used. Ask authors to be as detailed as possible, because the strength of the letters is one of the factors reviewers assess. A line such as "she led the first field trial of this sensor across three hospitals" helps more than "she is an excellent scientist".
Letter 1: how the author knows you and your achievements in the field
Letter 1: why they think you show exceptional talent or promise
Letter 1: how you would benefit from the UK and contribute to UK research or innovation and wider society
Letter 2: a statement that the author is a senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field
Letter 2: why your work shows exceptional talent and how you would contribute to the UK
Letter 2: a statement that this is an objective assessment, despite any personal knowledge of you
Format errors are easy to avoid and should never be the reason for a delay. The endorsing bodies can refuse an application, or ask for more information, if there is no evidence that a letter's author is a credible referee. The author's CV is that evidence, so do not leave it out.
Typed, signed and dated
On headed paper, and for the first letter the organisation's logo and registered address, if applicable
Up to three sides of A4, not counting the author's credentials and contact details
The author's email address and direct telephone number
The author's CV, or other proof of credentials the endorsing body accepts
Most letter problems come from reusing something that already exists. Reviewers need statements written for this purpose, by authors whose standing is clear from their CV.
Sending a general reference letter
Sending an employment contract instead of a letter
Reusing a letter written for a job, grant or award
Asking a first author who does not live in the UK
Using the same person for both letters
Leaving out the objective assessment statement in the second letter
Brief each author early and give them what they need
Senior authors are busy, so plan the letters before anything else in the application. Give each author a short brief that lists the points their letter must cover, your CV and the facts they can confirm. Check every returned letter against the content and format rules before you submit. Peer review endorsement applications usually take 5 weeks, so build that in after the letters are ready.
Choose your category first, because it decides how many letters you need
Send each author the list of required points for their letter
Share your CV and two or three concrete achievements they can confirm
Agree a date for the signed letter and the author's CV
Check page length, signature, date and contact details on arrival
Questions to settle before you spend time or money.
Use these answers to check the practical risks, documents, and decisions connected to this topic.
Does my referee have to live in the UK?
Yes, for the letter of personal recommendation. The second letter, needed only for Exceptional Talent, must come from a senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field.
Can my PhD supervisor or a co-author write the second letter?
Yes, the second author can know you. The letter must state that it is an objective assessment, despite any personal knowledge or involvement in your work.
Can I reuse a reference written for a job application?
No. Each letter must be written for your Global Talent application, and general reference letters are not accepted.
How long can a letter be?
Up to three sides of A4. The author's credentials and contact details do not count towards that limit.
Do I need to send the author's CV?
Yes. Each letter should come with the author's CV, or other proof of their credentials that the endorsing body accepts.
Letters plan
Want help choosing and briefing your referees?
We help you decide between Talent and Promise, identify suitable authors and brief them so each letter covers every required point.
