Global Talent peer review recommendation letters: who writes them and what they must say

How many

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
• Each letter must come with the author's CV

Who can write

Who can write each 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.

What to include

What assessors need to read in each 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 the assessors weigh. A line such as "she led the first field trial of this sensor across three hospitals" helps more than "she is an excellent scientist".

Format

Each letter must meet the same format rules

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

Common mistakes

The mistakes that weaken or stall an application

A letter written for another purpose cannot be used. Assessors 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

Briefing and timing

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